All amounts below are estimates only, presented in U.S. Dollars (USD). Actual expenses at CSU will vary with one’s living arrangement, major, and lifestyle.
The CSU Board of Governors reserves the right to increase tuition and fees at any time.
ISSS cannot help you pay for your expenses, so please plan accordingly.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES TO ATTEND CSU 2026-27
International student estimated expenses are calculated using the non-resident figures from:
- CSU’s Cost of Attendance estimates.
- CSU’s Tuition & Fees charts.
For undergrads, we assume 15 credits every Fall and Spring.
For standard graduate programs, we assume 9 credits every Fall and Spring.
Some graduate programs have accelerated curriculum and more demanding costs.
International Student Health Insurance for the 2026-2027 academic year is $2,556.
For the most accurate estimate of the cost of your program, please refer to the CSU tuition calculator.
Degree Program Estimated Expenses
| Estimated Expenses for 2026-2027 | Non-Resident Tuition and Required Fees | Living Expenses | Other Expenses (books, supplies, personal, health insurance) | Total Estimated Funding Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $38,176 USD | $18,472 USD | $5,538 USD | $62,186 USD |
| Graduate (standard) | $34,857 USD | $17,442 USD | $5,058 USD | $57,357 USD |
| Graduate: College of Business | $39,013 USD | $17,442 USD | $5,058 USD | $61,513 USD |
| Graduate: Impact MBA | $47,152 USD | $17,442 USD | $5,058 USD | $69,652 USD |
| Graduate: Addiction Counseling or Prof. Science Masters in Natural Sciences | $37,142 USD | $17,442 USD | $5,058 USD | $59,642 USD |
| Graduate: MS Social Work | $36,869 USD | $17,442 USD | $5,058 USD | $59,369 USD |
| Graduate: Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | $59,320 USD | $23,256 USD | $5,058 USD | $87,634 USD |
| Graduate: Accelerated Biomedical Sciences MS | $41,189 USD | $17,442 USD | $5,058 USD | $63,689 USD |
| Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) | $70,849 USD | $17,442 USD | $6,296 USD | $94,587 USD |
Bringing a spouse or child?
If you will bring an F-2/J-2 spouse or child dependent to the U.S., you must also show funds for their needs. We rely on the estimated figures below for F-2 & J-2 immigration documents.
These are estimates only.
Actual expenses vary for different families. Please plan your budget according to your family’s needs. Make sure to research healthcare costs for your family.
| 2026-2027 Estimated Expenses for Dependent Family Members (Spouse/Children) Costs for dependents should be added to the totals above, as they apply | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenses for each dependent (spouse or child) | $10,000 USD | ||||
| Cap (someone bringing 3 or more dependents only needs to show this much for dependent expenses) | $30,000 USD |
Estimated Expenses for Graduate Students on Continuous Registration
| Tuition & Fees | Living Expenses | Health Insurance | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Months | $1,079 USD | $23,256 USD | $2,556 USD | $26,891 USD |
| 9 Months | $719 USD | $17,442 USD | $2,556 USD | $20,717 USD |
| Fall 2025 | $360 USD | $8,721 USD | $1,205 USD | $10,286 USD |
| Spring 2026 | $360 USD | $8,721 USD | $1,351 USD | $10,432 USD |
| Summer 2026 | $360 USD | $5,814 USD | $0 (included in spring) | $6,174 USD |
CALCULATING YOUR COST OF ATTENDANCE
Form I-20 and Form DS-2019 require financial documentation. We use estimated expenses as the minimum for that. These estimated expenses are an average for international students at Colorado State University.
Actual expenses at CSU will vary with one’s living arrangement, major, and lifestyle. The CSU Board of Governors reserves the right to increase tuition and fees at any time.
Below are some costs beyond base tuition, of note for international students.
Differential Tuition
- Differential tuition is different from base tuition.
- It’s charged to specific courses taken by upperclassmen.
- Most students can expect it at 60 credit hours.
- The College of Business charges differential tuition after 30 credit hours.
- Read about undergraduate differential tuition or graduate differential tuition.
Special Course and Program Fees
- The tuition and fees estimates chart includes base tuition and fees for all students.
- The graduate program estimates include average differential tuition, too.
- But some classes and programs require additional special course and program fees. Those special course fees aren’t included in the estimates above.
- Read more about those special course fees at The Hub.
The Immigration Services Fee
ISSS charges all F-1 and J-1 students $175 each semester they enroll. Learn more about this fee on our FAQ page.
Estimated Fees
Other fees are described on CSU’s Tuition & Fees page.
| Estimated Fees for 2026-2027 Academic Year (Fall+Spring) | Graduate Students Enrolled in 9 Credits | Undergraduate Students Enrolled in 15 Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Fees | $2,020 USD | $2,020 USD |
| University Technology Fee | $69 USD | $69 USD |
| University Facility Fee | $428 USD | $713 USD |
| University Alternative Transportation Fee | $92 USD | $92 USD |
| Immigration Services Fee | $350 USD | $350 USD |
| Total Estimated Fees | $2,958 | $3,243 USD |