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Colorado State University

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

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Colorado State University Majors Overview: Salary, Courses & Career Outcomes

Every major at Colorado State University with graduate salary, course catalog depth, and career preparation data.

#	Major	US Rank	Colorado State University Salary	National Median	Premium	Degrees/Year	Courses
1	Computer Science	—	$75,000	$75,000	0%	205	74
Featured Courses: CS 110: ');">CS 110 CS 150A: ');">CS 150A CS 163: ');">CS 163 CS 155: ');">CS 155 CS 156: ');">CS 156
2	Engineering	—	$72,000	$72,000	0%	489	257
Featured Courses: AS 101: Heritage and Values of the US Air Force I Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AS 102: Heritage and Values of the US Air Force II Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AS 196A: Leadership Laboratory I Credit: 1 (0-2-0) AS 201: Air Force Team and Leadership Fundamentals I Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AS 202: Air Force Team and Leadership Fundamentals II Credit: 1 (1-0-0)
3	Mathematics & Statistics	—	$62,000	$62,000	0%	52	166
Featured Courses: MATH 369: ');">MATH 369 STAA 551: ');">STAA 551 STAA 552: ');">STAA 552 STAT 555: ');">STAT 555 STAA 500: to 599 - at least
4	Engineering Technologies	—	$58,000	$58,000	0%	165	—
5	Business	—	$55,000	$55,000	0%	724	128
Featured Courses: ACT 210: ');">ACT 210 ACT 301: ');">ACT 301 ACT 311: ');">ACT 311 ACT 205: ');">ACT 205 ACT 220: ');">ACT 220
6	Health Professions	—	$52,000	$52,000	0%	18	95
Featured Courses: BZ 101: ');">BZ 101 CHEM 113: ');">CHEM 113 MATH 160: ');">MATH 160 ERHS 310: ');">ERHS 310 MIP 300: ');">MIP 300
7	Architecture	—	$48,000	$48,000	0%	66	17
Featured Courses: HORT 192: ');">HORT 192 LIFE 220: ');">LIFE 220 LAND 230: ');">LAND 230 LAND 110: ');">LAND 110 LAND 240: ');">LAND 240
8	Physical Sciences	—	$48,000	$48,000	0%	59	88
Featured Courses: AA 100: ');">AA 100 MATH 161: ');">MATH 161 ATS 350: ');">ATS 350 GES 440: ');">GES 440 GEOL 542: ');">GEOL 542
9	Social Sciences	—	$45,000	$45,000	0%	398	144
Featured Courses: ANTH 180A: 1 and ANTH 120: ');">ANTH 120 ESS 150: ');">ESS 150 MU 232: ');">MU 232 ANTH 235: ');">ANTH 235
10	Biological Sciences	—	$42,000	$42,000	0%	791	69
Featured Courses: AB 111: Feeding the World in a Changing Climate (GT-SC2) Credits: 3 (3-0-0) AB 120: Agricultural Biology--Freshman Orientation Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AB 130: Working with Agricultural Biology Data Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AB 230: Becoming an Agricultural Biology Professional Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AB 270: Agri. Biology Orientation for Transfers Credits: 2 (2-0-0)
11	Agriculture & Natural Resources	—	$42,000	$42,000	0%	348	109
Featured Courses: AGRI 100: ');">AGRI 100 IE 116: ');">IE 116 IE 270: ');">IE 270 AGRI 300: ');">AGRI 300 PHIL 330: ');">PHIL 330
12	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	—	$42,000	$42,000	0%	100	—
13	Homeland Security & Law Enforcement	—	$42,000	$42,000	0%	11	—
14	Communication & Journalism	—	$40,000	$40,000	0%	262	162
Featured Courses: SPCM 178: ');">SPCM 178 SPCM 200: ');">SPCM 200 SPCM 278A: ');">SPCM 278A SPCM 278J: ');">SPCM 278J CO 150: ');">CO 150
15	Natural Resources & Conservation	—	$40,000	$40,000	0%	91	51
Featured Courses: GES 120: ');">GES 120 CO 150: ');">CO 150 GES 101: ');">GES 101 ANTH 100: ');">ANTH 100 ATS 440: ');">ATS 440
16	History	—	$40,000	$40,000	0%	72	14
Featured Courses: ETST 250: ');">ETST 250 ETST 252: ');">ETST 252 ETST 255: ');">ETST 255 HIST 100: ');">HIST 100 ANTH 306A: ');">ANTH 306A
17	Public Administration & Social Services	—	$38,000	$38,000	0%	73	54
Featured Courses: PPA 500: Research Methods for Public Policy and Admin Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 501: Program Evaluation and Quantitative Methods Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 530: Civic Engagement Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 540: International Policy Toolkit Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 541: Principles & Processes of International Mgmt Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
18	Education	—	$38,000	$38,000	0%	31	52
Featured Courses: CO 150: ');">CO 150 AGED 240: ');">AGED 240 AGED 220: ');">AGED 220 HDFS 372: ');">HDFS 372 AGED 330: ');">AGED 330
19	Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$38,000	$38,000	0%	17	18
Featured Courses: PHIL 145: ');">PHIL 145 CS 201: ');">CS 201 PHIL 110: ');">PHIL 110 PHIL 100: ');">PHIL 100 CO 150: ');">CO 150
20	Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$38,000	$38,000	0%	15	26
Featured Courses: ETST 234: ');">ETST 234 ETST 239: ');">ETST 239 ETST 242: ');">ETST 242 HIST 250: ');">HIST 250 HIST 252: ');">HIST 252
21	Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$38,000	$38,000	0%	15	62
Featured Courses: LARA 100: ');">LARA 100 LARA 101: ');">LARA 101 LARA 200: ');">LARA 200 LARA 201: ');">LARA 201 LCHI 100: ');">LCHI 100
22	Psychology	—	$36,000	$36,000	0%	276	43
Featured Courses: PSY 182A: ');">PSY 182A PSY 100: ');">PSY 100 PSY 253: ');">PSY 253 PSY 310: ');">PSY 310 PSY 250: ');">PSY 250
23	English Language & Literature	—	$36,000	$36,000	0%	72	30
Featured Courses: AEIN 8210: ');">AEIN 8210 AEFN 8110: ESOL – Level 1 Foundations Academic English, Listening & Speaking CEUs: 3 (3-0-0) AEFN 8112: ESOL– Level 1 Foundations Academic English, Reading & Writing CEUs: 3 (3-0-0) AEFN 8113: ESOL – Level 1 Foundations Academic English, Grammar CEUs: 3 (3-0-0) AEFN 8210: ESOL – Level 2 Foundations Academic English, Listening & Speaking CEUs: 3 (3-0-0)
24	Family & Consumer Sciences	—	$35,000	$35,000	0%	333	23
Featured Courses: FACS 360: ');">FACS 360 FACS 179: ');">FACS 179 HDFS 160: ');">HDFS 160 HDFS 101: ');">HDFS 101 HDFS 310: ');">HDFS 310
25	Parks, Recreation & Fitness	—	$35,000	$35,000	0%	282	—
26	Liberal Arts & General Studies	—	$35,000	$35,000	0%	72	—
27	Visual & Performing Arts	—	$34,000	$34,000	0%	164	271
Featured Courses: ART 110: ');">ART 110 ART 135: ');">ART 135 ART 111: ');">ART 111 CO 150: ');">CO 150 ART 221: ');">ART 221

Career Path Match at Colorado State University 🎖️ DeepColleges Exclusive

How many courses at Colorado State University align with each career direction. More relevant courses mean better preparation for your target career.

UX / Product Design 32

IDEA 210: Introduction to Design Thinking (GT-AH1) Credits: 3 (3-0-0) IDEA 310A: Design Thinking Toolbox: Paper Products Credit: 1 (0-2-0) IDEA 310B: Design Thinking Toolbox: 3D Modeling Credits: 3 (2-2-0) IDEA 310D: Design Thinking Toolbox: Digital Imaging Credit: 1 (0-2-0) IDEA 310E: Design Thinking Toolbox: Foundations of Woodworking Credits: 3 (2-2-0)

Mathematics & Pure Research 32

MATH 332: Partial Differential Equations Credits: 3 (3-0-0) MATH 345: Differential Equations Credits: 4 (3-2-0) MATH 366: Introduction to Abstract Algebra Credits: 3 (3-0-0) MATH 405: Introduction to Number Theory Credits: 3 (3-0-0) MATH 466: Abstract Algebra I Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Film & Video Production 21

CONE 404: Production Planning of Construction Operation Credits: 3 (3-0-0) IDEA 310Q: Design Thinking Toolbox: 3D Animation and Storytelling Credits: 3 (2-2-0) JTC 203: Television Studio Production Credit: 1 (0-0-1) JTC 310: Copy Editing Credits: 3 (2-2-0) JTC 340: Video Editing Credits: 3 (2-2-0)

Journalism & Media 21

JTC 192: Journalism Seminar Credit: 1 (0-0-1) JTC 210: Newswriting Credits: 3 (1-2-0) JTC 220: News, Truth, and Deception Credits: 3 (3-0-0) JTC 270: Analyzing Data in Journalism and Media Credits: 3 (2-0-1) JTC 320A: Reporting: General News Credits: 3 (1-4-0)

Data Science & Analytics 17

AB 415: Agricultural Data Science Credits: 3 (3-0-0) DSCI 100: First Year Seminar in Data Science Credit: 1 (0-0-1) DSCI 320: Optimization Methods in Data Science Credits: 3 (3-0-0) DSCI 369: Linear Algebra for Data Science Credits: 4 (3-0-1) DSCI 478: Capstone Group Project in Data Science Credits: 4 (0-0-8)

Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering 14

AEFN 8110: ESOL – Level 1 Foundations Academic English, Listening & Speaking CEUs: 3 (3-0-0) AEFN 8112: ESOL– Level 1 Foundations Academic English, Reading & Writing CEUs: 3 (3-0-0) AEFN 8113: ESOL – Level 1 Foundations Academic English, Grammar CEUs: 3 (3-0-0) AEFN 8155: ESOL – Level 1 Foundations Academic English, General Non-Core CEU: 1.5 (1.5-0-0) AEFN 8210: ESOL – Level 2 Foundations Academic English, Listening & Speaking CEUs: 3 (3-0-0)

Management Consulting & Strategy 13

AS 196A: Leadership Laboratory I Credit: 1 (0-2-0) AS 196B: Leadership Laboratory I Credit: 1 (0-2-0) AS 201: Air Force Team and Leadership Fundamentals I Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AS 202: Air Force Team and Leadership Fundamentals II Credit: 1 (1-0-0) AS 296A: Leadership Laboratory II Credit: 1 (0-2-0)

Architecture & Spatial Design 11

CONE 103: Virtual Design and Construction I Credits: 3 (2-2-0) CONE 192: Seminar in Construction Engineering Credit: 1 (0-0-1) CONE 201: Construction Systems and Decision Analysis Credits: 3 (3-0-0) CONE 203: Virtual Design and Construction II Credits: 3 (3-0-0) CONE 302: Preconstruction and Project Control Systems Credits: 5 (3-4-0)

Marketing & Brand Strategy 10

JTC 350: Public Relations and Advertising Credits: 3 (3-0-0) JTC 351: Writing for PR and Advertising Credits: 3 (2-2-0) JTC 352: University Public Relations Credit: 1 (1-0-0) JTC 355: Advertising Credits: 3 (3-0-0) JTC 356: Advertising Creativity and Copywriting Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

AR / VR / Spatial Computing 9

IDEA 310B: Design Thinking Toolbox: 3D Modeling Credits: 3 (2-2-0) IDEA 320B: Design Thinking Toolbox: Advanced 3D Modeling Credits: 2 (0-4-0) IDEA 525A: Mixed Reality for Design Thinking: Trends Credit: 1 (1-0-0) IDEA 525B: Mixed Reality for Design Thinking: Storytelling Credit: 1 (1-0-0) IDEA 525C: Mixed Reality for Design Thinking: Inclusive Design Credit: 1 (1-0-0)

Chemical & Materials Engineering 8

MSE 502A: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Structure and Scattering Credit: 1 (1-0-0) MSE 502B: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Computational Materials Methods Credit: 1 (1-0-0) MSE 502C: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Microscopy Credit: 1 (1-0-0) MSE 502D: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Spectroscopy Credit: 1 (1-0-0) MSE 502E: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Bulk Properties and Performance Credit: 1 (1-0-0)

Public Policy & Government 8

JTC 320D: Reporting: Government and Political Credits: 3 (1-4-0) PPA 500: Research Methods for Public Policy and Admin Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 530: Civic Engagement Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 561: State and Local Government Finance Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 577: Intersectional Advocacy and Public Policy Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Entrepreneurship & Startups 5

IDEA 424: Design Thinking in Social Entrepreneurship Credits: 3 (3-0-0) IDEA 482C: Study Abroad--Todos Santos: Ventures in Social Entrepreneurship Credit: 1 (0-0-1) JTC 522: Media Communication Innovation Credits: 3 (3-0-0) JTC 660: Communication and Innovation Credits: 3 (3-0-0) SYSE 710: Leadership/Innovation in Systems Engineering Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Software Engineering 4

MATH 151: Mathematical Algorithms in Matlab I Credit: 1 (0-2-0) MATH 152: Mathematical Algorithms in Maple Credit: 1 (0-2-0) MATH 510: Linear Programming and Network Flows Credits: 3 (3-0-0) MATH 520: Nonlinear Programming Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Cybersecurity 4

MATH 360: Mathematics of Information Security Credits: 3 (3-0-0) MATH 463: Post-Quantum Cryptography Credits: 3 (3-0-0) SYSE 548: Security Engineering for Systems Engineers Credits: 3 (3-0-0) SYSE 569: Cybersecurity Awareness for Systems Engineers Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Investment Banking & Finance 4

JTC 500: Communication Research and Evaluation Methods Credits: 3 (3-0-0) JTC 571: Digital Media Research and Evaluation Methods Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 501: Program Evaluation and Quantitative Methods Credits: 3 (3-0-0) SYSE 603: Introduction to Systems Test and Evaluation Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

AI / Machine Learning 3

DSCI 445: Statistical Machine Learning Credits: 3 (3-0-0) DSCI 546: Machine Learning for Data Science Credits: 3 (3-0-0) IDEA 310U: Design Thinking Toolbox: Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Pre-Med / Clinical Medicine 3

AB 515: Plant Biochemistry in Agriculture Credits: 3 (3-0-0) AB 555: Topics in Plant Pathology--Plant Virology Credits: 2 (2-0-0) VMBS 100: Introduction to Biomedical Sciences Major Credits: 2 (1-0-1)

Nonprofit & Social Impact 3

PPA 559: Nonprofit Management Credits: 3 (3-0-0) PPA 577: Intersectional Advocacy and Public Policy Credits: 3 (3-0-0) VMBS 165: Social Justice Issues in Healthcare (GT-SS3) Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Actuarial Science & Insurance 2

MATH 211: Financial Mathematics for Actuarial Science Credits: 3 (3-0-0) SPMT 575: Risk Management in Sport Credits: 2 (2-0-0)

Graphic & Visual Design 2

JTC 211: Visual Communication Credits: 3 (2-2-0) JTC 427: Motion Graphics Design Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Fashion & Luxury Industry 2

IDEA 310F: Design Thinking Toolbox: Foundations of Textile Design Credit: 1 (0-2-0) IDEA 320F: Design Thinking Toolbox: Advanced Textile Design Credits: 2 (0-4-0)

Education & Teaching 2

JTC 475: News Literacy Credits: 3 (3-0-0) LI 382A: Study Abroad--Mexico: Empowerment and Cultural Literacy Credit: 1

Game Development & Design 1

IDEA 310O: Design Thinking Toolbox: Digital Interaction and Game Design Credits: 3 (2-2-0)

Robotics & Autonomous Systems 1

CONE 302: Preconstruction and Project Control Systems Credits: 5 (3-4-0)

Quantum Computing 1

MATH 463: Post-Quantum Cryptography Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology 1

DSCI 511: Genomics Data Analysis in Python Credits: 2 (1-0-1)

Environmental Engineering 1

MATH 112: Mathematics of Sustainability (GT-MA1) Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Music Industry & Production 1

MSE 502E: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Bulk Properties and Performance Credit: 1 (1-0-0)

Biotechnology & Genetics 1

AB 340: Insect Biotechnology Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Research 1

MSE 502D: Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Spectroscopy Credit: 1 (1-0-0)

Climate & Earth Science 1

CLMT 275: Climate Change and Earth System Interactions Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Sociology & Anthropology 1

SPMT 547: Contemporary Sport, Society and Globalization Credits: 2 (2-0-0)

Highest & Lowest ROI Majors at Colorado State University

Highest-Earning Majors

Computer Science

$75,000/yr

Engineering

$72,000/yr

Mathematics & Statistics

$62,000/yr

Lowest-Earning Majors

Visual & Performing Arts

$34,000/yr

Liberal Arts & General Studies

$35,000/yr

Parks, Recreation & Fitness

$35,000/yr

Popular Majors at Colorado State University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Biological Sciences

14.7%

Business/Marketing

13.3%

Engineering

10.0%

Social Sciences

8.2%

Agriculture

6.6%

Best Majors at Colorado State University →

Colorado State University Majors FAQs

What are the most popular majors at Colorado State University?

Colorado State University's most popular majors by share of degrees awarded are: Biological Sciences (14.7%), Business/Marketing (13.3%), Engineering (10.0%). The full ranking by graduate salary is in the table above.

Which major at Colorado State University pays the most?

The highest-earning major at Colorado State University is Computer Science, with a median 4-year-out salary of $75,000 — well above the school-wide median of $60,543.

Are some majors at Colorado State University harder to get into than others?

Yes. Colorado State University's overall acceptance rate is 89.6%, but selective programs (computer science, business, engineering, nursing) often admit at lower rates than the school-wide average. Check program-specific admission stats where available.

Should I pick my major based on salary at Colorado State University?

Salary should be one factor, not the only one. Major choice impacts earnings (engineering and CS typically lead) but career fit, course interest, and graduation-rate within the major also matter. The salary table above shows the median pay by program at Colorado State University.