Colorado State University announced Friday that it will create a new online school for remote students who can't afford or don't have the time for a traditional university experience.

Called CSU-Colorado, the new school is expected to offer eight-week courses next summer.

"In Colorado there are probably tens of thousands of students who are not participating in higher education for a variety of reasons, including not being able to get to campus," said Rick Simpson, CSU's associate provost for continuing education.

Tuition is expected to cost less than at the main campus.

Simpson said CSU-Colorado will be able to serve 1,000 students its first year and 3,000 the next.