Cal Poly vs. Colorado School of Mines

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Colorado School of Mines is in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Colorado School of Mines 18:1.

Cal Poly vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Colorado School of Mines? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Colorado School of Mines ($17,453 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado School of Mines are 6.7% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($17,531 vs. $18,792).
• Colorado School of Mines is 61.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $8,318 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $11,159 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (96% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Colorado School of Mines students ($14,338 vs. $12,246).

Cal Poly vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Colorado School of Mines? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colorado School of Mines and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 80 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Colorado School of Mines - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Colorado School of Mines (3.84).
• Colorado School of Mines has a higher acceptance rate (60.7%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines.

Cal Poly vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Colorado School of Mines? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Colorado School of Mines's (70%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $69,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $7,334 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($18,666 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($193 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal Poly students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.