Founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College under the Morrill Act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, Colorado State University is now among the nation's leading research universities and the “university of choice” for Colorado residents. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountain Foothills in Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU offers access to the natural beauty of the American west. Nearly 300 sun-filled days per year allow for plenty of extracurricular activities such as hiking, biking or skiing. CSU consistently ranks as a top tier university in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of “America’s Best Colleges and Universities” and recently ranked #1 in sustainability for the “Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System.”Our world-class research in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, environmental science, and biomedical technology attracted more than $300 million in research funding annually. Our professional programs in veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, journalism, agriculture, and construction management are ranked among the nation's best.Instrumental in our success are the faculty at CSU who provide an enriching and rewarding student learning experience. The approach — based on the land-grant philosophy — combines intellectual classroom pursuits with hands-on experience in the field and laboratory.