Montana State University vs Colorado State University campus atmosphere.

[Tod osier]

Son is into both schools and we feel pretty good about what the specific programs he is interested in offer (has an interest in Geography and GIS type stuff and we have a good handle on the academics). So… not a question on academics, but on campus life. I figure that there have to be people here that have probably gone to both or had kids at both. We have visited both, but not during the school year. He was raised in a hunting and fishing family, but that is not really his thing, so closeness to the local rivers or elk mountains isn't so much a draw (access to the mountains at both seem good).

I'm looking for a general comparison of the two and real-world comparisons of what it is to live in those towns. CSU is larger and seems to have more of a reputation as a party school (not really a concern) and the sex ratio is better for a guy there as well. Thoughts??? Any surprise safety issues or challenges?

 

[wyogoat]

I spend a lot of time in Ft Collins but haven’t been to Bozeman in probably 8 years so factor that but I love Ft Collins. I’m a big cyclist and the cycling community is legit if he’s into that. The fly fishing on the Poudre is pretty solid too close to town and close to a lot of other great streams.
The waterfowl hunting is great.
Denver is close for getting to an airport or if you want to see some pro sports.
I’ve noticed the town has become a lot more liberal over time but I’m guessing that’s most college towns. Doesn’t affect the quality of my time there though.
Lots to do in FTC but no major ski resort near like Bozeman has.
I’m guessing cost of living in FTC is more reasonable but that’s only going off of what I see posted on here.
Idk about the party scene (fortunately) but the going out and getting a couple beers scene in FTC is my favorite way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Fort Collins is an awesome town. That’s about all I can help with. Except to say, college is college. Very few majors where the name on your diploma matters.

 

[rogerdoger]

I went to school in Bozeman in the late 90’s early 2000’s. Lived in Ft. Collin’s for a year, front range for 6 years. My personal opinion is that although mountains are close in Ft Colin’s it is a lot more difficult to get into mountains, mainly due to the amount of people. Skiing would be an occasional thing in FC, as that is even worse to contend with.
I would choose Bozeman.

Towns are both fun, probably more future job opportunities in FC, and more women!

 

[Hnthrdr]

Went to CSU back in 08, Fort Collins is one of my favorite towns. Was way chiller, more Ag/ ranch vibe back then. Now like most of the front range has become very liberal, full of know it all Californians. I get the feeling the college followed suit. Heck I had openly communist profs back in 08. I mean I love the location and that part of the state but not sure how your kid is. I’m guessing there is still some conservative pockets, DU club, some of the Ag folk, but the times they are a changing…

 

[Ucsdryder]

Went to CSU back in 08, Fort Collins is one of my favorite towns. Was way chiller, more Ag/ ranch vibe back then. Now like most of the front range has become very liberal, full of know it all Californians. I get the feeling the college followed suit. Heck I had openly communist profs back in 08. I mean I love the location and that part of the state but not sure how your kid is. I’m guessing there is still some conservative pockets, DU club, some of the Ag folk, but the times they are a changing…

Probably not a lot of college towns that aren’t exactly what you describe. I imagine Bozeman is very similar. Sign of the times…

 

[waspocrew]

What’s the tuition difference between the two?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Probably not a lot of college towns that aren’t exactly what you describe. I imagine Bozeman is very similar. Sign of the times…

I agree, not trying to be too political or anything it’s just the front range co vibe. Lots of people from other places that know what is best for Co, hence our constant attack on hunting rights, gun rights, ect. I think you’re right I’m sure Bozeman is the same way. Probably to a lesser extent. I think I would pick Bozeman from the simple stand point there are 6 million people in Co, it is busy! MT has like a million people and is a way larger state, did a little bird hunting with a buddy up there who is a warden and I was amazed at how much good hunting was 10-20 min from the town of Great falls, generally good hunting is now 2.5-3 hours from the front range east or west

 

[rogerdoger]

Bozeman tuition used to be a lot cheaper back in the day if you got residency. Originally looked at Colorado and could not afford it at all. My two options was Bozeman or Laramie.

 

[Tod osier]

What’s the tuition difference between the two?

Given the aid offers he has, CSU is a few thousand a year more. It seems like the cost of living in Bozeman may close to offset the difference when he moves off campus, tho. I don't want to say a few thousand is trivial, but they are close enough that is isn't a major part of the decision.

 

[Tod osier]

Bozeman tuition used to be a lot cheaper back in the day if you got residency. Originally looked at Colorado and could not afford it at all. My two options was Bozeman or Laramie.

Not a resident of either state, so the costs are not that dissimilar.

 

[3325]

I can’t speak to campus atmosphere. But I’ve been to Bozeman and I’ve been the length of the front range in Colorado. I’d pick Bozeman every time.

 

[LongWayAround]

I live in Fort Collins and thought about coming to school here. I lived right near the campus for awhile and wondered why it seemed so tame. At least compared to having gone to a Big 10 college... I definitely wouldn't worry about it being a "party school." Last I knew, they even sell beer inside the stadium...

Definitely minimal safety concerns here.

Housing cost is probably a fairly substantial hurdle and parking can suck.

I don't know anything about Bozeman, but feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions about Fort Collins. I have been here for over a decade.

 

[rogerdoger]

Not a resident of either state, so the costs are not that dissimilar.

Go part time for a year, 6 credits or less a semester. Would add a year to college but save decades of shitty student loans.

 

[Uncle Goonie]

MSU and Bozeman seemed a little too California for my son when he was visiting colleges and we're from California. He liked the vibe at Wyoming, but decided to stay in state due to cost (low SAT score and 3.low gpa provides for very little WUI discount) and he wanted to be closer to home.

 

[greenomics]

Went to CSU back in 08, Fort Collins is one of my favorite towns. Was way chiller, more Ag/ ranch vibe back then. Now like most of the front range has become very liberal, full of know it all Californians. I get the feeling the college followed suit. Heck I had openly communist profs back in 08. I mean I love the location and that part of the state but not sure how your kid is. I’m guessing there is still some conservative pockets, DU club, some of the Ag folk, but the times they are a changing…

You'll see that on just about any campus. More prevalent in departments like humanities, sociology, etc.

 

[rogerdoger]

MSU and Bozeman seemed a little too California for my son when he was visiting colleges and we're from California. He liked the vibe at Wyoming, but decided to stay in state due to cost (low SAT score and 3.low gpa provides for very little WUI discount) and he wanted to be closer to home.

That’s why we now call it BozAngeles

 

[Phaseolus]

I grew up in Fort Collins, attended CSU, and worked for CSU Agricultural Experiment Station for 30 years (fortunately on the west slope). Unlike HtnHdr I never met any Communist professors or staff but I was in the College of Agriculture. It’s a nice large town with fair access to mountains. Skiing is certainly far away unless you like backcountry. I was raised on Harmony Road back when it was dirt, now it’s a sea of box stores but the part of town that campus is in ok. I’ll never move back to The Front Range. Your Son will most likely like FoCo.

 

[houghton_hunter]

I work in Forestry, and have Masters in GIS. Lots of experience with both locations, and other schools in the Midwest.

GO TO FORT COLLINS. CSU is a better school, period, not just in terms of the education (I know a lot of the natural resource profs there), but the opportunities are far and above Bozeman. With Denver about an hour away, your son will also have the opportunity to intern in fields that require the skills he wants to develop, but you won't get opportunities to do in Bozeman (road network GIS, oil and gas, demographic assessment, etc).

In my humble opinion, don't worry about the politics of any location, if someone offered me a chance to go to Harvard, I would take it in a heart beat. The real value of a four year education in my view is the network you develop and the opportunities that stem from that. Meet people and engage with folks you disagree with vehemently, get out of your silo and see the big interesting world. CSU and the front range is going to offer a lot of chances to develop a big network, meet crazy people, and that will pay dividends as he starts his career. Just my opinion.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I grew up in Fort Collins, attended CSU, and worked for CSU Agricultural Experiment Station for 30 years (fortunately on the west slope). Unlike HtnHdr I never met any Communist professors or staff but I was in the College of Agriculture. It’s a nice large town with fair access to mountains. Skiing is certainly far away unless you like backcountry. I was raised on Harmony Road back when it was dirt, now it’s a sea of box stores but the part of town that campus is in ok. I’ll never move back to The Front Range. Your Son will most likely like FoCo.

Yeah my Pinko Prof was in sociology, and a genuinely nice guy who didn’t fail me despite my adamant disagreement with his belief system