Colorado State University Global was established in 2007 as an online-focused public university within the Colorado State University System. It began offering classes in 2008, with a model designed for students who need to study without relocating or following a conventional campus schedule.
CSU Global is a separate institution from Colorado State University in Fort Collins and Colorado State University Pueblo. That distinction matters when comparing degrees, tuition, athletics, campus facilities, and student services: a program or benefit offered at another CSU System institution does not automatically apply to CSU Global students.
CSU Global organizes its academics around online undergraduate and graduate programs rather than a traditional collection of residential colleges. Its programs include business, accounting, human resource management, information technology, computer science, healthcare administration, criminal justice, and public administration.
Students can pursue bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as selected certificates and other credentials. Program choice should begin with the current academic catalog: similarly named degrees can have different required courses, transfer-credit limits, and professional applications. Applicants considering a licensed occupation should also check the requirements in the state where they intend to work; institutional accreditation alone does not establish licensing eligibility.
Courses are designed for online participation, but that does not mean every program has identical scheduling or assessment requirements. Prospective students should review the course sequence for their intended major, including any capstone, practicum, or other applied requirement.
Colorado State University Global is based in the Denver metropolitan area of Colorado, but students primarily attend online. Its administrative location should not be mistaken for a residential teaching campus in downtown Denver or for Colorado State University's campus in Fort Collins.
For most students, location affects the time zone of scheduled services and any optional in-person event more than it affects daily coursework. Applicants hoping to visit an office or attend an event should confirm its current address and whether an appointment is required. Denver International Airport serves the region, although routine air travel is not part of the online study model.
CSU Global's stated purpose centers on accessible, career-relevant education delivered online, particularly for adults whose work and family responsibilities make a conventional campus schedule difficult. Its public-university identity and emphasis on flexible access are central to how it presents its educational mission.
Those aims describe institutional priorities, not a guarantee that a particular course schedule, degree, or career outcome will suit every student. Applicants can test the fit by comparing the actual time demands of required courses with their availability for independent study, online discussion, and deadlines.
Name of the institution
Colorado State University GlobalLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
10,000 - 19,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
TrimestersFoundation year
2007Colorado State University Global is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.