Colorado School of Mines vs. Red Rocks Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Red Rocks Community College is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (8,419 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); Red Rocks Community College is in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Red Rocks Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; Red Rocks Community College 28:1.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Red Rocks Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College than Colorado School of Mines ($8,478 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Red Rocks Community College are 4.3% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($16,785 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 351% more expensive for in-state tuition than Red Rocks Community College (about $17,055 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $4,859.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 162.5% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at Red Rocks Community College (about $28,365 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $17,459.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at Red Rocks Community College (96% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Red Rocks Community College students is 17% larger than aid received by Colorado School of Mines students ($14,333 vs. $12,246).

Colorado School of Mines vs. Red Rocks Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado School of Mines or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College and Colorado School of Mines.

• Red Rocks Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Test optional; Red Rocks Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Red Rocks Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado School of Mines and Red Rocks Community College? 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).

• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $49,600 more per year than Red Rocks Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Red Rocks Community College graduates have a $16,928 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($9,072 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Red Rocks Community College graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($93 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Red Rocks Community College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 42%)

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.