Colorado School of Mines vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado School of Mines is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (8,044 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines or Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University than Colorado School of Mines ($17,711 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 38.6% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($10,760 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 93.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $10,596 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.5% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at Western Colorado University (about $21,390 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at Western Colorado University (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 45.4% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($12,246 vs. $8,425).

Colorado School of Mines vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 140 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Test optional; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

Colorado School of Mines vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado School of Mines and Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $49,700 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 61%)

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.