UC Berkeley vs. Colorado School of Mines

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Berkeley vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 University of California Berkeley than Colorado School of Mines ($16,538 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado School of Mines are 26.2% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($17,531 vs. $23,750).
• Colorado School of Mines is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $5,567 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at UC Berkeley than at Colorado School of Mines (about $4,723 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $45,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at University of California Berkeley (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 141.8% larger than aid received by Colorado School of Mines students ($29,608 vs. $12,246).

UC Berkeley vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 20 points higher than at Colorado School of Mines (1400).
• Incoming UC Berkeley 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: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Colorado School of Mines - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Colorado School of Mines (3.84).
• Colorado School of Mines has a higher acceptance rate (60.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines.

UC Berkeley vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Colorado School of Mines's (70%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $11,800 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($14,200 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($146 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.