Colorado School of Mines vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than Colorado School of Mines ($14,584 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 4.3% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($16,785 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 97% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $10,790 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $15,140 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $30,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (96% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($12,246 vs. $9,813).

Colorado School of Mines vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 390 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.81 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado School of Mines and Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $47,900 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 47%)

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.