Colorado School of Mines
A good fit for in-state Colorado residents and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $95,600 within 10 years; strong 82% graduation rate.
About This School
Colorado School of Mines is a public institution located in Golden, Colorado with approximately 6,155 undergraduate students enrolled. Colorado School of Mines has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 61%. The average net price after financial aid is $28,690 per year. The graduation rate is 82%, and the typical graduate earns $95,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is a public research university in Golden, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1874, the school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, and mathematics, with a focus on energy and the environment. While Mines does offer undergraduate minor programs in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, it only offers degree programs in STEM fields, with the exception of economics. In the fall 2025 semester, the school enrolled 8,247 students, including 6,371 undergraduate and 1,876 graduate students. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
This is a strong option for students serious about engineering, applied science, or energy careers — graduates earn a median of $95,600 within 10 years, and the relatively low median debt of $17,500 makes that return on investment hard to ignore. The 93% freshman retention rate signals that students who get in tend to stick around and feel good about their choice, though the 79% graduation rate means roughly 1 in 5 students don't finish, so it's worth asking what's driving that gap before committing. If you can handle a rigorous technical curriculum in a smaller campus environment, the numbers here are genuinely compelling.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,155 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · Public
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO · Private for-profit
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO · Public
Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO · Public
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, CO · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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