Southern Utah University (SUU) vs CSU-FC

Southern Utah University (SUU) and Colorado State University-Fort Collins (CSU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. SUU, located in Cedar City, Utah, is a public university with an acceptance rate of 88%, while CSU, situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, is also a public university with a slightly lower acceptance rate of 83%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors at SUU including Business, Education, and Health Professions, and popular majors at CSU including Business, Engineering, and Natural Resources. While SUU has a smaller student body with a higher percentage of female students, CSU has a larger and more diverse student population. Additionally, CSU boasts a higher graduation rate of 68% compared to SUU's 58%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences

	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Southern Utah University
Overview
Location	Fort Collins, Colorado	Cedar City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Town: Remote
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	73.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.6%	88.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1080 - 1290	1030 - 1240
ACT range	23 - 29	20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	38.0%	4.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	81.0%
Total number of applicants	31,586	17,209
Total number of admissions given out	28,314	15,269
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,197	2,564
Yield rate	18.4%	16.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,174 Out of state: $46,456	In state: $20,626 Out of state: $34,442
Average net price	$18,320	$12,372
Tuition	In state: $9,709 Out of state: $28,991	In state: $6,006 Out of state: $19,822
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,186 Meal plan: $6,830	Room/dormitory: $3,350 Meal plan: $4,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	70.0% Average amount $10,034	90.0% Average amount $9,899
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,018	66.0% Average amount $5,494
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,976	2.0% Average amount $21,408

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,954 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%	12,080 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Graduate students	7,632 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	1,531 Men 46.7% Women 53.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	34.3%	25.3%
International students	4.8%	3.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity	8,300	1,004
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois Washington	Utah Nevada California Arizona Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Education Liberal Arts Business Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	23:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.1%	54.7%
Dropout rate	18.5%	42.1%
Transferred out	10.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,915 Year 3: $106,015 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,613 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $95,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,379 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $93,827 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,747 Year 2: $80,301 Year 3: $92,215 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,256 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $89,957 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,253 Year 2: $73,070 Year 3: $88,889 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,603 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,546 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,387 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $86,814 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,629 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $83,089 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,849 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $80,723	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $75,943 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,352 Year 2: $59,042 Year 3: $65,535 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,251 Year 2: $59,320 Year 3: $63,725 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,826 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $57,687 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $53,525 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,740 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $53,227 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $53,187 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,254 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $50,515 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $46,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,792 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $44,213

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Southern Utah University (SUU) and Colorado State University (CSU) in terms of location and campus environment?

SUU is located in Cedar City, Utah, a smaller town known for its proximity to outdoor recreation like Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. It offers a more intimate campus environment. CSU, on the other hand, is situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, a larger city with a vibrant cultural scene and access to the Rocky Mountains. CSU's campus is larger and more bustling, offering a broader range of urban amenities.
How do SUU and CSU compare in terms of tuition and cost of attendance?

Generally, SUU has a lower tuition rate than CSU, especially for out-of-state students. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing and lifestyle. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules and to consider your individual spending habits.
Which university, SUU or CSU, is larger in terms of student population?

CSU is significantly larger than SUU. CSU has a much larger student body, offering a wider range of perspectives and experiences. SUU has a smaller, more close-knit community.
What are the academic strengths of SUU and CSU?

SUU is known for its strong programs in outdoor recreation, aviation, and performing arts. CSU excels in areas like engineering, natural sciences, veterinary medicine, and environmental sciences. Both universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, so it's important to research specific departments that align with your academic interests.
How do the admission requirements differ between SUU and CSU?

CSU generally has more competitive admission requirements than SUU. CSU typically requires higher standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) and a stronger academic record. SUU has a more accessible admission process, but it's still important to meet their minimum requirements and present a strong application.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities can I expect at SUU versus CSU?

SUU offers a more intimate and community-focused student life, with opportunities for outdoor adventures and involvement in smaller clubs and organizations. CSU boasts a more diverse and active student life, with a wider range of clubs, organizations, and events, including a strong emphasis on athletics and research opportunities.
How do SUU and CSU compare in terms of research opportunities?

CSU is a research-intensive university with extensive research facilities and funding, offering numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research. SUU also offers research opportunities, particularly in areas related to its academic strengths, but on a smaller scale.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from SUU versus CSU?

Career prospects depend heavily on your chosen field of study. CSU's strong reputation in fields like engineering and natural sciences can provide a competitive edge in those industries. SUU's programs in areas like aviation and outdoor recreation can lead to specialized career paths. Both universities offer career services to help students with internships and job placement.
What is the surrounding environment like near SUU and CSU?

SUU is located in a rural setting surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Fort Collins, where CSU is located, offers a blend of urban amenities and access to the Rocky Mountains, providing a balance between city life and outdoor recreation.
Do SUU and CSU have strong alumni networks?

Both SUU and CSU have active alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and support for graduates. CSU, being a larger and older institution, generally has a more extensive and established alumni network. However, SUU's alumni network is growing and offers strong connections within specific industries and regions.

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