Colorado School of Mines
About Colorado School of Mines
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university in Golden, Colorado, specializing in engineering and applied sciences. It is one of the top engineering schools in the country and has strong ties to the energy, mining, and technology industries.
Founded
1874
Location
Golden, Colorado
Students
8,004
Institution
Public
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
60.7%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
81.7%
Above national average
In-State Tuition
$21,914
Out-of-state: $45,824
Avg Net Price
$28,690
After financial aid
SAT Average
1412
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$97,335
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
60.7 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$50
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 15
Colorado School of Mines accepts 60.7% of applicants and doesn't require standardized tests. Focus on your grades and personal statement, and you have a solid chance.
SAT Scores
1412/ 1600
ACT Scores
31/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
81.7% complete their degree within six years
Retention
92.8%
4-Year Grad
67%
6-Year Grad
83%
Teaching Quality
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
72.8%
$/Student
$20.4K
Class Size
Medium
67% graduate in 4 years, and 92.8% of freshmen return for year two. The retention rate suggests students are happy with their experience.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$21,914
In-State
$45,824
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,531
Books & Supplies
$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance
$40,560
After Financial Aid
$28,690
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$16,849
Receive Grants
13.6%
Take Loans
31.7%
The full cost of attendance is about $40,560/yr for in-state students, including $17,531 for room and board. After aid, most pay around $28,690. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $45,824.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Colorado School of Mines fund their education.
While in School
13.6%
Get Grants
Free money
31.7%
Take Loans
Must repay
$95,766
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$23,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$244/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 31.7% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $23,000. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Colorado School of Mines.
Gender
31.9%
Female
68%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
6,155
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
1,849
Graduates
15.4%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
3.4%
Age 25+
Men make up the majority at 68% of the student body. 15.4% are first-generation college students.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
6,155
Students
public
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Golden, Colorado is at the foothills of the Rockies
- +Outdoor recreation is minutes from campus
- +Engineering graduates earn top salaries
- +Small school with focused STEM mission
Cons
- -Very small and narrow academic focus
- -Intense engineering workload with little downtime
- -Limited liberal arts and humanities offerings
- -Social scene is small due to campus size
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Colorado School of Mines fields 12 varsity teams with 682 student athletes, about 11% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division II with football
Conference
Rocky Mountain
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
682
11% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
69% / 31%
471
Men
211
Women
10
Men's Teams
8
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Colorado School of Minesearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$97,335
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Mechanical Engineering
$74K
321 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer Science
$86K
222 grads
1yr Earnings
Chemical Engineering
$68K
149 grads
1yr Earnings
Civil Engineering
$70K
83 grads
1yr Earnings
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
$81K
80 grads
1yr Earnings
Metallurgical Engineering
$79K
61 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $83K six years out, climb to $81K by year eight, and reach $97K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colorado School of Mines
What is the acceptance rate at Colorado School of Mines?▾
How much does Colorado School of Mines cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Colorado School of Mines?▾
How much do Colorado School of Mines graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.