CU Boulder vs. Colorado School of Mines

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Colorado School of Mines is in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Colorado School of Mines 18:1.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 University of Colorado Boulder than Colorado School of Mines ($26,231 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado School of Mines are 5.1% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($17,531 vs. $18,468).
• Colorado School of Mines is 39.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $6,248 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $906 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at University of Colorado Boulder (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 9.1% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($12,246 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 60 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder 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: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Colorado School of Mines - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 School of Mines's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $33,600 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 73%)

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.