Colorado State University is a land-grant institution and a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University-Extensive. CSU was founded as the Colorado Agricultural College in 1870, six years before the Colorado Territory gained statehood. The doors opened to a freshman class of 19 students in 1879. In 1935, the school became the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, or Colorado A&M, and was renamed Colorado State University in 1957.

From Colorado State's internationally known programs in veterinary medicine and chemistry to their recognition as an institution committed to character building, their academic and co-curricular programs are recognized for their quality, innovation and achievement.

There are more than 150 programs of study offered within Colorado State's eight colleges and 55 departments, a depth and breadth of their offerings that allows students to shape a course of study tailored to their personal and professional goals. For students who have not decided on a program of study, Colorado State's open option programs are designed to provide the resources necessary to make an informed decision while exploring the entire university or a specific area such as the life sciences, the environment or of the eight colleges. In addition, Colorado State offers pre-professional preparation in health professions, teacher licensure, and law.