CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Colorado School of Mines is in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Colorado School of Mines 18:1.

CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Colorado School of Mines ($14,831 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 11.9% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($15,442 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 111.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $11,531 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.9% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $16,433 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (96% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 29% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($12,246 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 300 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at CU Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Colorado School of Mines - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines.

CU Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $22,300 more per year than CU Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $68,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $4,810 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($21,190 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($219 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver 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.