Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
Located in Golden, Colorado, 15 miles west of Denver, the Colorado School of Mines occupies a hillside campus with views of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1874 to support Colorado's mining industry, the institution has evolved into a public research university specializing in engineering and applied sciences, with particular emphasis on earth sciences, energy resources, and environmental engineering. The campus combines historical stone buildings with modern research facilities across 373 acres, including notable structures such as Guggenheim Hall and the Green Center. Mines maintains highly selective admission standards and is recognized for its programs in petroleum engineering, metallurgical engineering, and geology, while operating specialized research facilities including the Earth Mechanics Institute and the Colorado Fuel Cell Center. First-year students are required to live in on-campus residence halls, and the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Orediggers.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Colorado School of Mines is rated within the top 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Colorado School of Mines within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#152 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#34 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in Colorado
#1 in Best Public Colleges in Colorado
#450 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Value Colleges in Colorado
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1330/1488 |
| ACT | 30/33 |
| GPA | 3.84 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $25 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Colorado Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Other Fees | $2,520 |
| Room and Board | $16,110 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,879 |
| Total One Year Cost | $39,529 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Other Fees | $2,520 |
| Room and Board | $16,110 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,879 |
| Total One Year Cost | $61,609 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 89% |
| Mathematics | 7% |
| Social Sciences | 2% |
| Physical Sciences | 1% |
Other Colleges to Consider
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Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126775 IPEDS survey data for Colorado School of Mines.
Current students may use the Colorado School of Mines GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024