Colorado School of Mines vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines or Colorado State? 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 Colorado State University Fort Collins than Colorado School of Mines ($21,011 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 4.1% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($16,817 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 63.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $8,541 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $11,041 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (96% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($12,246 vs. $10,160).

Colorado School of Mines vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado School of Mines or Colorado State? 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 State and Colorado School of Mines.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 210 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State? 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).

• Colorado School of Mines's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $38,700 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $4,996 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($21,004 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($217 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

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.