Colorado School of Mines vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO with University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines or Illinois? 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than Colorado School of Mines ($13,973 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 17.2% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($14,522 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $5,910 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $10,700 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (96% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 57.6% larger than aid received by Colorado School of Mines students ($19,299 vs. $12,246).

Colorado School of Mines vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 20 points higher than at Colorado School of Mines (1400).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Colorado School of Mines).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Test optional; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Colorado School of Mines has a higher acceptance rate (60.7%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Colorado School of Mines's (70%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.