Info for Undergraduate International Students

Interested in studying in the United States as an undergraduate student? We invite you to find your energy, passions, and future at Colorado State University. Our campus community has a rich history of international student support and success, and we are committed to our mission to provide access to students from all backgrounds.

To get started on your admissions process, please follow the information below, and feel free to reach out to our International Enrollment Center staff with any questions you may have.

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As you choose a college, one of the biggest questions you might have is what to study. At Colorado State, you can choose from nearly 300 academic programs, including more than 70 majors with 140 concentrations80 minors, and pre-professional advising.

Some of the most popular majors for international students at CSU include:

  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

There’s truly something for everyone at CSU. Not sure what you want to study? Find your best-fit majors of interest by completing the short quiz below.

When to apply: Fall start

Applying to Colorado State University as an international student is easy. Securing a student visa can take at least six weeks, so you’re encouraged to apply early.

First-year freshman students typically enter CSU during the fall semester, which begins in August. The application opens on August 1 the year before you intend to start at CSU.

We encourage students to apply before December 31 to be considered for our highest international scholarships, but we accept applications on a rolling basis after that date.

When to apply: Spring start

It is also possible to start in the spring semester, which begins in January. The application for Spring also opens in August of the year before your start, which means it’s important to apply by November 15 for full consideration and to secure a visa in time.

Application

  • All first-year freshman students will submit an application using the Common Application. Your application will be reviewed after we receive all of the required items.

Transcripts

  • Submit your most recent transcripts or mark sheets. We will ask for additional materials if necessary.
  • All decisions are provisional until a final, official transcript verifying graduation is received.
  • Only transcripts sent directly from the school or stamped and sealed are considered official.
  • If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the transcript

Personal Statement

  • A personal statement, or an essay, is your opportunity to tell us more about yourself and your goals beyond the classroom. This will be reviewed by the admission team to help with consideration for competitive majors, scholarships, and more.

Undergraduate direct and conditional admission requirements

Strong English language skills are important to academic success at CSU. To support student success, we require all students whose first language is not English to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship. Applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom whose first language is English are exempt from this requirement.

TOEFL, PTE Academic or IELTS Academic results are the preferred indicators of English proficiency. For applicants seeking direct admission, the requirements are as follows:

Clear Admission
TOEFL IBT*72
IELTS Academic6.0
Duolingo (undergraduate only)110

*Consideration of paper-based TOEFL (PBT) results requires an interview. Contact a member of our international admissions team for details.

You will be considered for conditional admission if you meet our academic admission standards but have not submitted a qualifying TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS score.

Students who are awarded conditional admission enroll in the Intensive English Program (IEP) at CSU until the Academic English Program is completed or the required TOEFL, PTE Academic or IELTS score is achieved.

Learn more about our English Proficiency Requirements here.

Immigration information is not considered in the admission decision.

If you need a student visa, you must submit the following items in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2019:

  • Immigration Information Form
  • Copy of the identification page of your passport which must be valid for at least six months beyond the first day of classes.
  • Financial support documents demonstrating the ability to meet or exceed your estimated expenses. Because none of our institutional scholarships cover the full cost of attendance, you must be able to show outside funding.

Undergraduate Application Guides

Colorado State University supports multiple undergraduate student types, including freshman (first-year) and transfer students.

  • Apply as an international first-year freshman if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and you’ve never attended university or all university credit you earned was prior to secondary school (high school) completion.
  • Apply as an international transfer if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident AND you’ve enrolled in university credits since completing secondary school (high school).

Connect with us

Our International Enrollment Center staff is here to help international students make a smooth transition to Colorado State. Submit a question directly to our team by filling out the form below.

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Want to learn more about CSU and the International Admissions Process? Browse our digital brochure below.

International Student Brochure