Colorado School of Mines Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university in Golden, Colorado, serving roughly 6,155 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 60.69% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $97,335 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $21,914
- 2024 Average Net Price: $28,690 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 60.69% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 6,155 96.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 81.71%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 15.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 4.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 72.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1412
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,401
- Applicants (IPEDS): 9,821
- Room & Board: $17,531 annual estimate
Colorado School of Mines: what the data shows
Common questions about Colorado School of Mines, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (ZIP 80401).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Colorado School of Mines public or private?
Colorado School of Mines is a Public institution.
How much does Colorado School of Mines cost?
Published tuition: $21,914 in-state, $45,824 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $28,690.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $16,849 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,162 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $22,192 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $28,183 |
| $110,001+ | $35,112 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $87,656.
How hard is it to get into Colorado School of Mines?
Admission rate: 60.69%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1412 and midpoint ACT 31.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Colorado School of Mines?
Total enrollment: 6,155 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 6,401 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,849 students.
About 96% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado School of Mines?
150%-time completion rate: 81.71%.
First-year retention: 92.8%.
What do graduates of Colorado School of Mines earn?
Median earnings: $82,950 six years after entry; $97,335 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,000.
13.57% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Colorado School of Mines known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Mechanical Engineering (378 completions)
- Computer Science (352 completions)
- Chemical Engineering (150 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (105 completions)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (101 completions)
- Geological/Geophysical Engineering (88 completions)
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics (83 completions)
- Systems Engineering (77 completions)
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (60 completions)
- Engineering/Industrial Management (60 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Colorado School of Mines a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 60.69%; completion rate 81.71%; median earnings $97,335 at 10 years; net price $28,690. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$21,914
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Colorado School of Mines was $21,914.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$28,690
2024 Value
In 2024 Colorado School of Mines had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $28,690.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$114,760 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$28,690 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$87,656 4-Year In-State Tuition
$183,296 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$17,531 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$40,945 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$163,780 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Colorado School of Mines.
Financial Aid by Income Level
13.57% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
31.67% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Colorado School of Mines was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Colorado School of Mines in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $16,485 | $32,415 | $24,980 |
| 2014 | $16,918 | $33,598 | $25,777 |
| 2015 | $17,353 | $34,828 | $24,929 |
| 2016 | $17,842 | $36,172 | $24,877 |
| 2017 | $18,386 | $37,436 | $25,710 |
| 2018 | $18,964 | $38,584 | $25,781 |
| 2019 | $19,062 | $39,762 | $26,750 |
| 2020 | $19,100 | $39,800 | $27,114 |
| 2021 | $19,538 | $40,838 | $25,211 |
| 2022 | $20,040 | $42,120 | $27,978 |
| 2023 | $21,186 | $44,376 | $29,240 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
60.69% Acceptance Rate
9,821 Total Applicants
5,864 Students Admitted
1,450 First-Time Students Enrolled
24.73% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1412
ACT Average: 31
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.7 - 3.9
Estimated Median GPA: 3.80
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Colorado School of Mines reported total enrollment of about 6,155 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 68% male and 32% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (67.5%), Hispanic or Latino (14.2%), and Asian (6.4%). About 13.57% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 15.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Colorado School of Mines in 2024 is 6,155 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 6,401 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,849 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
92.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 67.5%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
67.03% 100% Completion Time
81.71% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 67.03% of students graduating from Colorado School of Mines completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Mechanical Engineering: 77% male / 23% female
- Computer Science: 80% male / 20% female
- Chemical Engineering: 59% male / 41% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Colorado School of Mines.
Return on Investment
$23,000 Median Student Debt
$97,335 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
23.63% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
748.16% Return on Investment
2.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Colorado School of Mines.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 40 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Mechanical Engineering: 378 completions
2. Computer Science: 352 completions
3. Chemical Engineering: 150 completions
4. Civil Engineering, General: 105 completions
5. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 101 completions
6. Geological/Geophysical Engineering: 88 completions
7. Engineering Physics/Applied Physics: 83 completions
8. Systems Engineering: 77 completions
9. Mining and Mineral Engineering: 60 completions
Most popular programs at Colorado School of Mines.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Colorado School of Mines graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Colorado School of Mines from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 72.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,000
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $20,431
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Colorado School of Mines is a public institution located in Golden, CO, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering. Enrollment is approximately 6,155 students. Student body composition includes White (67.5%), Hispanic or Latino (14.2%), Asian (6.4%). The admission rate is 60.69%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1412. The 150%-time completion rate is 81.71%. Approximately 13.57% of students receive Pell Grants. About 15.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Golden, CO 80401
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 81.71% graduation rate, Colorado School of Mines demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Colorado School of Mines graduates report median earnings of $97,335 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Colorado School of Mines located?
Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO.
What is Colorado School of Mines's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Colorado School of Mines is 60.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 9,821 applicants and 5,864 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Colorado School of Mines cost?
Reported tuition is $21,914 and average net price is $28,690 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,531 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines reports undergraduate enrollment of about 6,401 students, White (67.5%), Hispanic or Latino (14.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Colorado School of Mines?
About 15.4% of students at Colorado School of Mines are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Colorado School of Mines?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Colorado School of Mines reports midpoint SAT about 1412 and midpoint ACT about 31.
What do graduates of Colorado School of Mines earn?
Median earnings are $82,950 six years after entry and $97,335 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado School of Mines?
The 150%-time completion rate is 81.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Colorado School of Mines students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,000.
Is Colorado School of Mines public or private?
Colorado School of Mines is a public institution located in Golden, CO.
Is Colorado School of Mines an HBCU?
No. Colorado School of Mines is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Colorado School of Mines a tribal college?
No. Colorado School of Mines is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.