<p>How do these two compare? Is one signifigantly better than the other? I'm interested in opinions.</p>
<p>CU-Boulder is tougher to get in to than CSU is, at least for in-state kids. Higher test scores and higher gpa required. But both are good schools.</p>
<p>Both are great college towns. Boulder is nicknamed "The People's Republic of Boulder" for it's liberal bent. It is VERY expensive to live here. Fort Collins is more laid back; more like a big country town. They have strict architectural guidelines about signs, etc., so you get to see a lot more trees and less neon. It's really not cheap to live there, either.</p>
<p>Both campuses are nice, although I'm more familiar with CU's (my daughter is going there this fall as a freshman). I have heard that it's a bit more walking to get from class to class at CSU, although I don't know that for a fact. CU's campus is beautiful. All of the buildings are made from the same type of Colorado sandstone blocks.</p>
<p>Both are strong in the sciences, particularly in biology. CSU has a veterinary school, while CU has a law school (in Boulder) and a medical school (in Denver). I only mention that because that's the area my daughter is most interested in, so I know about that area of study.</p>
<p>If you have any more questions, just ask!!</p>
<p>Anyone else want to explain differences between these two schools?</p>
<p>I live in Fort Collins and my senior son has looked at both schools. Feel free to PM.</p>
<p>I think CSU is underrated. CU would probably be better for the humanities, but CSU is strong in all the main land-grant areas: engineering, science, agriculture, vet, natural resources, etc.</p>
<p>CU will probably be better-known outside of Colorado and the surrounding states.</p>
<p>I’d take Fort Collins over Boulder, but that’s just personal preference.</p>
<p>vet and agriculture yes, but engineering and science CU is much, much better.</p>
<p>I pretty much agree with all of the above, quality of life I would give to CSU and prestige to CU. For me CSU is the better choice because it seems like a better place to spend 4 years and it’s quite a bit cheaper. But for you it could be the exact opposite, so good luck.</p>
<p>This weekend my son and I will be taking a fight from Cali(were we live) to Colorado.
My son has been excepted to Fortcollins,Boulder,Colorado Springs and waiting for Denver.
We will be there only 3 days to visit the 4 schools. I also will post when I return my view on the schools. But can anyone come pair the 4. My son is bio/science</p>
<p>My son was out of state, great stats, etc … received no merit from CU, but received big merit scholarship from CSU, and honors scholarship.</p>
<p>HUBE1992, I would be interested in your opinions of those schools. We are going to visit CU boulder, Denver in the summer. Please post when you get back.</p>
<p>HUBE1992 - If by Colorado Springs you mean Colorado College they have a strong Bio program. University of Denver is strong in business. music, and international relations/political science. Not known for sciences. Colorado State is strong in the biological sciences because they have the state Vet school there and a branch of the CDC. I imagine CU has a good program, too. Hope you enjoyed your visit.</p>
<p>Personal note: we received the finacial aid offers from both CSU and CU in the mail today.
We are in-state. The estimated total for CU was $10,000 more, with less scholarship money offered than CSU , and no work study. CSU is a bargain IMHO.</p>
<p>I can give my “in-state impression” of the various colleges – please note this is completely based on social chatter and may have no relation to actual national rankings or any other more official opinions!</p>
<p>Among folks I know, CU-Boulder is the most respected and considered the hardest to get in to, as well as the most traditional in the sense of a large research university – definitely well regarded. In a very left leaning college town with a beautiful mountain setting.</p>
<p>CSU is the second most popular choice I hear about, also well regarded, if less prestigious. Known for agricultural sciences. Not as big as CU, but still a traditional campus in a picturesque small town, probably still left leaning for Colorado, but not nearly as much as Boulder. </p>
<p>UCD is a bit less popular among the high school kids, probably because it is less of a traditional university. Very urban feel and I’m not entirely sure, but would imagine more non-traditional and commuter students. Well respected, but not discussed as much by us “moms.”</p>
<p>UCCS I don’t hear that much about, other than my daughter and her friends getting tons of mail and email from them! I really don’t have a feel of how well it is regarded – it’s just off the radar. Colorado Springs is known for its military presence, defense contractors, and government facilities. It is as right leaning as Boulder is left.</p>
<p>Colorado College is a very well regarded small private liberal arts college. It is located in the Springs, but not seen as politically conservative. It uses the one course at a time method, which some kids love, but would not work for all students.</p>
<p>I know the most about CU Boulder, for the rest just various opinions I have heard over the years which may not be accurate.</p>
<p>Thanks for the low down snoozn.</p>
<p>UCCS is probably best known locally for having a strong engineering program. There are dorms there, but many who attend there are commuter students that live within a 30 mile radius from the campus. It has grown tremendously in enrollment, buildings, etc., in the 25+ years I have lived here (north of Colorado Springs).</p>
<p>[College</a> Rankings - Top 50 Ranked Universities in Colorado for Highest Overall School Score](<a href=“USA University College Directory - U.S. University Directory - State Universities and College Rankings”>Top Ranked Universities in Colorado - Highest Overall School Score)</p>
<p>UCCS is not regarded as a strong engineering school. The order for that is Mines, CU, then CSU.</p>
<p>I beg to differ. Locally, it is known as having a solid engineering program. Not as strong as the schools you mentioned above - on that point we agree - but I’ve lived here over 25 years and know this to be true from those that hire in that field.</p>
<p>ColoradoMomof2. I’m curious. Univ of Denver offers both MS and PHDs in engineering though it is not known for that major. Is it because it is a private school that students from Colorado don’t think of DU as a possible choice?</p>
<p>Lakemom, I honestly don’t know. You may be on to something. When I think of DU, I think of their outstanding business program for both undergrads and graduate students, which is nationally known. The only down side to having such a strong program, however, is that sometimes folks assume that that’s the ONLY strong course of study, which often simply isn’t true. And I know a good number of DU grads from all majors, and I find most to be very bright successful people in all occupations. So I am as guilty of prejudging as anyone else. 
</p>
<p>CSCS’s engineering program gets a boost here in the Springs because of our military bases as well as the defense contractors that are located here too. Many students intern at these installations/companies and gain valuable experience.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply. DU has other majors that don’t seem to get attention and it is hard to find info to compare it to CU boulder.</p>