Colorado School of Mines vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado School of Mines is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (8,044 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than Colorado School of Mines ($20,438 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 44.4% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($9,742 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 127% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $12,260 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 259.2% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at Dakota State University (about $33,068 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at Dakota State University (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 128% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($12,246 vs. $5,371).

Colorado School of Mines vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 80 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado School of Mines and Dakota State? 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 School of Mines's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $48,300 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 67%)

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.