CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or Colorado School of Mines? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or Colorado School of Mines is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Colorado Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines comparison
University of Colorado Denver Colorado School of Mines College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver Colorado School of Mines
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Overview

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
Location Denver, CO Golden, CO
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 23,409 7,599
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #391 #159
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu mines.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
Tuition (In State) $9,096 $18,390
Tuition (Out of State) $27,288 $41,580
Room & Board $14,920 $16,820
Avg Net Price $15,303 $29,785
Avg Grant Aid $8,079 $11,204
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 94%

Admission

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,569 9,821
Admitted 11,336 5,864
Acceptance Rate 77.8% 59.7%
Enrolled % 14.4% 24.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.84
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 29/33
SAT Range 980/1220 1320/1470
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Engineering (89%)
  • Mathematics (7%)
  • Social Sciences (2%)
  • Physical Sciences (1%)

Outcomes

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
Graduation Rate 40% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $90,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 87%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $219 $268

Diversity

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
% Men 14% 16%
% Women 26% 7%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 75%
% Black 5% 1%
% Hispanic 19% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 8% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
% In-State 85% 49%
% Out-of-State 13% 47%

Campus

CU Denver Colorado School of Mines
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (23,409 students vs. 7,599 students)

CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Colorado School of Mines?

  • Colorado School of Mines is 102.2% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($18,390.00 vs. $9,096.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.4% higher at Colorado School of Mines than University of Colorado Denver ($41,580.00 vs. $27,288.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than Colorado School of Mines ($15,303 vs. $29,785)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver are 12.7% lower than costs at Colorado School of Mines ($14,920 vs. $16,820)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than University of Colorado Denver (94% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 38.7% larger than aid received University of Colorado Denver ($11,204 vs. $8,079)

CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or Colorado School of Mines? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Colorado School of Mines or CU Denver .

  • The average SAT score at Colorado School of Mines (1339) is 284 points higher than at CU Denver (1055)
  • Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at CU Denver (23)
  • Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at CU Denver (3.46)
  • CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Colorado School of Mines (59.7%)

CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or Colorado School of Mines? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Colorado School of Mines and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado School of Mines is higher than University of Colorado Denver (70% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn on average $22,300 more per year than CU Denver graduates after ten years. ($90,500 vs. $68,200)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $4,810 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates. ($21,190 vs. $26,000)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado School of Mines graduates. ($219 vs. $268)
  • More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/