Colorado School of Mines is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Golden, Colorado. It enrolls 6,155 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
78/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes91
Value72
Affordability12
Selectivity82
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 60.7%, Colorado School of Mines is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
60.7%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1320 – 1480
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
29 – 33
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Colorado School of Mines is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
6.6 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Colorado School of Mines isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $28,690 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$28,690
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
14%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
32%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$21,914
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$45,824
Room & Board (on-campus)
$17,531
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,785
Books & Supplies
$1,500
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,800
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,294
Total Cost of Attendance
$40,560
Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$16,849
$30,001 – $48,000
$18,162
$48,001 – $75,000
$22,192
$75,001 – $110,000
$28,183
Over $110,000
$35,112
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$10,25025%percentile
$23,000Medianpercentile
$28,00075%percentile
$35,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $19,234
↓ $3,766
No Pell $15,751
↓ $7,249
Dependent students $16,751
↓ $6,249
Independent students $23,011
—
Female students $16,849
↓ $6,151
Male students $17,500
↓ $5,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($23,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
81% of full-time students who enrolled at Colorado School of Mines graduate within six years, and 93% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
81%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
93%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Colorado School of Mines earn a median of $97,335 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$97,335
Earning > $25K
93%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$89,600
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$97,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$95,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$96,300
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$95,300
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $7,500, about 8% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
0.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 95% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Colorado School of Mines is home to 6,155 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
6,155
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
15%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 67.5%4,157
Hispanic 14.3%877
Other 6.5%402
Asian 6.4%394
International 2.5%154
Black 1.5%89
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Colorado School of Mines. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbGolden, Colorado
Housing
Partly residential2,280 beds available
Adult Learners
3%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Colorado School of Mines offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
72 distinct programs across
9 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Colorado School of Mines is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$21,005
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$352M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$122,849
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
350 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
106
30%
$165,422
Associate Professors
66
19%
$121,104
Assistant Professors
48
14%
$102,358
Instructors
79
23%
$101,554
Lecturers
33
9%
$82,178
No Rank
18
5%
$99,931
Pros & Cons of Colorado School of Mines
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Colorado School of Mines tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Class sizes are on the higher side
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Colorado School of Mines is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado School of Mines
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Colorado School of Mines.
Is Colorado School of Mines hard to get into?
Admissions at Colorado School of Mines are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 60.7%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines has an acceptance rate of 60.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Colorado School of Mines?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Colorado School of Mines scored between 1320 and 1480 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Colorado School of Mines?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Colorado School of Mines scored between 29 and 33 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Colorado School of Mines cost?
The average net price after aid at Colorado School of Mines is $28,690 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Colorado School of Mines worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $97,335 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $28,690 per year. That's roughly 3.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Colorado School of Mines known for?
Colorado School of Mines is best known for its programs in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Colorado School of Mines graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Colorado School of Mines are $97,335, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Colorado School of Mines accredited?
Yes. Colorado School of Mines is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines enrolls 6,155 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines graduates 81% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Colorado School of Mines a public or private college?
Colorado School of Mines is a Public institution.
Where is Colorado School of Mines located?
Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, Colorado.
What programs does Colorado School of Mines offer?
Colorado School of Mines offers 72 distinct programs. The most popular include Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Colorado School of Mines?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Colorado School of Mines is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Colorado
Other colleges in Colorado share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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