The University
Colorado State University Pueblo is a regional comprehensive university that provides a student-centered education grounded in hands-on learning, academic excellence, and meaningful connection. Located in southern Colorado, CSU Pueblo serves approximately 3,800 students through undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs designed to prepare graduates for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Students benefit from a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio that encourages close collaboration with faculty mentors, personalized academic support, and experiential learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. CSU Pueblo offers 37 undergraduate programs, 13 graduate programs, and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) and Nursing Practice (DNP), as well as accelerated 3+2 pathways that allow students to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in as little as five years.
Academic programs are housed within the Hasan School of Business; the College of Health and Education; the School of Nursing; the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. CSU Pueblo is recognized for high-demand, career-focused programs including cybersecurity, nursing, engineering, business, and mechatronics engineering, one of the few programs of its kind in the nation. The Hasan School of Business holds accreditation through AACSB International, placing it among an elite group of business schools worldwide.
CSU Pueblo is committed to expanding access to higher education and supporting student success for students from all backgrounds and experiences. As a university with a strong first-generation student population, CSU Pueblo provides comprehensive support services designed to help students thrive academically and personally. Federally funded TRIO programs, the Military and Veterans Success Center, the Disability Resource and Support Center, and the Center for Student Support and Advocacy provide individualized resources that support student achievement and belonging across campus.
The University also offers extensive academic support through the PACK Center, a centralized resource for academic advising and enrollment support, along with 11 on-campus tutoring centers serving subjects across science, mathematics, business, engineering, technology, and general education.
CSU Pueblo emphasizes applied learning and career readiness. The Career Center assists students with career exploration, internships, résumé development, mock interviews, and professional preparation, including access to the Career Closet, which provides free professional attire for interviews and networking opportunities. Through the Division of Extended Studies, students can pursue flexible learning options including online, evening, and self-paced courses, along with opportunities to earn credit for prior learning.
Student wellness and engagement are central to the Thunderwolf experience. CSU Pueblo provides free mental health counseling and healthcare services through the Wolfpack Wellness Center and promotes healthy lifestyles through the Student Recreation Center, Outdoor Fitness Court, and Outdoor Pursuits program. Recognized as both a Healthy Minds Campus and Hunger-Free Campus, the University is committed to supporting students’ physical, emotional, and academic well-being.
Campus life includes more than 40 student organizations, active club and intramural sports programs, leadership opportunities, and NCAA Division II athletics. Competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, CSU Pueblo fields 19 athletic teams and has earned national recognition for athletic and academic achievement.
About Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a historically rich and culturally diverse community of more than 112,000 residents located along the Arkansas River in southern Colorado, with a county population of nearly 170,000. Known as the “Steel City” for its resilient and hardworking spirit, Pueblo blends deep cultural traditions with outdoor adventure, a vibrant arts scene, and a strong sense of community.
With more than 300 days of sunshine annually and a mild four-season climate, Pueblo offers year-round opportunities for recreation and exploration. Warm summers, comfortable winters, colorful autumns, and sunny spring days make the region especially attractive to outdoor enthusiasts. Students and residents enjoy boating and fishing at Lake Pueblo State Park, hiking and biking along miles of trails, kayaking and fly fishing on the Arkansas River, golfing late into the fall season, and skiing and snowboarding in nearby mountain destinations just a few hours away.
Pueblo’s location along the Arkansas River contributes to its unique character and quality of life. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk serves as a centerpiece for community events, dining, shopping, and entertainment, while the Union Avenue Historic District highlights the city’s architectural history, local businesses, galleries, and cultural attractions. As one of only a select number of Colorado communities with a state-designated creative arts district, Pueblo supports a thriving arts and cultural environment through museums, live performances, festivals, and public art.
The city is also widely recognized for its culinary traditions and locally grown Pueblo Chile, an iconic regional specialty deeply rooted in the area’s agricultural heritage. Pueblo’s diverse cultural influences are reflected in its restaurants, festivals, and longstanding local traditions, creating a community known for authenticity, passion, and hospitality.
Conveniently located approximately 45 minutes south of Colorado Springs and two hours from Denver, Pueblo offers students the advantages of an affordable and welcoming community with easy access to the broader opportunities of Colorado’s Front Range.
Our History
Since its incorporation in 1933 as Southern Colorado Junior College to its current designation as a regional, comprehensive university, CSU Pueblo has served the changing educational, economic development, and cultural needs of the citizens of Colorado.
| Years | Names |
|---|---|
| 1933-37 | Southern Colorado Junior College |
| 1937-63 | Pueblo Junior College |
| 1963-75 | Southern Colorado State College |
| 1975-2003 | University of Southern Colorado |
| 2003–Present | Colorado State University Pueblo |
Our Campus
Colorado State University Pueblo spans more than 275 acres on the northeast edge of Pueblo and offers a welcoming campus environment focused on student success, engagement, and community. The campus combines modern academic facilities, vibrant student life spaces, residential communities, and recreational amenities designed to support a complete collegiate experience.
The University’s academic environment emphasizes experiential and applied learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Students work closely with faculty through research, internships, clinical experiences, fieldwork, and community partnerships that help prepare them for graduate school and professional careers.
The Occhiato Student Center serves as the hub of student activity and houses Student Leadership, Involvement, Career and Engagement (SLICE), Associated Students’ Government, meeting spaces, dining venues, and student support services. Throughout the year, students participate in concerts, guest lectures, cultural celebrations, comedy performances, films, leadership programs, and campus traditions that foster a strong sense of community and Thunderwolf pride.
Campus dining offers a variety of options for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Dining locations include the Pack Café, Starbucks, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Qdoba Mexican Eats. The Occhiato Student Center is also home to Canvas Credit Union, the University’s designated financial partner, which provides specialized banking options and financial education resources for students.
CSU Pueblo offers four residence hall communities that accommodate a variety of student lifestyles, from traditional residence hall living to apartment-style housing. Residential communities are designed to support student engagement, academic achievement, and personal development through programming, peer support, and convenient access to campus resources and amenities.
The Student Recreation Center supports wellness and outdoor adventure through fitness facilities, intramural sports, and the Outdoor Pursuits Program, which provides equipment rentals, outdoor trips, and instructional opportunities for activities such as climbing, camping, kayaking, and mountain biking.
Students can participate in more than 40 student organizations representing academic, cultural, recreational, leadership, service, and social interests. Club and intramural sports provide additional opportunities for involvement and competition, including climbing, esports, volleyball, softball, baseball, and lacrosse.
Athletics are an important part of campus life at CSU Pueblo. The University competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division II level with 19 athletic programs. Athletic facilities include the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl, Massari Arena, the Rawlings Sports Complex, and the Art and Lorraine Gonzales Stadium, which host football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, baseball, softball, soccer, track and field, and cross country competition throughout the academic year.