Colorado College vs. Colorado School of Mines

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado School of Mines is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (8,044 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Colorado School of Mines is in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Colorado School of Mines 18:1.

Colorado College vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College 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 Colorado School of Mines than Colorado College ($29,925 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 8.6% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($16,020 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado College is 222.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado School of Mines (about $48,820 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $21,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at Colorado College than at Colorado School of Mines (about $24,910 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $45,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at Colorado College (96% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 315.1% larger than aid received by Colorado School of Mines students ($50,834 vs. $12,246).

Colorado College vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College 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 Colorado College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 50 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Colorado College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Colorado School of Mines (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Colorado School of Mines - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Colorado School of Mines (3.84).
• Colorado School of Mines has a higher acceptance rate (60.7%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines.

Colorado College vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Colorado School of Mines's (70%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $44,500 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado School of Mines students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

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.