Skip to content

Colorado School of Mines vs Colorado Mesa University

Colorado School of Mines is a public university in Golden, CO. Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction, CO. Colorado School of Mines admits about 61% of applicants and Colorado Mesa University about 82%, making Colorado School of Mines the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,103 a year at Colorado Mesa University after aid, and about $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. About 81% of students graduate at Colorado School of Mines, compared with 41% at Colorado Mesa University. Ten years after enrolling, Colorado School of Mines alumni earn a median of about $97,335, against $45,823 for Colorado Mesa University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Golden, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
6,155
8,143
Acceptance rate
61%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.6–4
3.32–3.82
SAT (middle 50%)
1320–1480
930–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
18–24
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,690
$15,103
Full cost / yr
$40,560
$24,046
In-state tuition
$21,914
$9,927
Out-of-state tuition
$45,824
$25,124
Application fee
$50
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,849
$10,792
$30k - $48k
$18,162
$11,920
$48k - $75k
$22,192
$14,692
$75k - $110k
$28,183
$16,945
Over $110k
$35,112
$20,606
Outcomes
Graduation rate
81%
41%
Freshman retention
93%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$82,950
$39,223
Median earnings (10 yr)
$97,335
$45,823
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
$22,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
14%
28%
First-generation students
15%
39%
International students
3%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Aug 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado School of Mines or Colorado Mesa University harder to get into?
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into. It admits about 61% of applicants, compared with 82% at Colorado Mesa University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Colorado School of Mines or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,103 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa University?
Before aid, Colorado Mesa University costs about $24,046 a year and Colorado School of Mines about $40,560. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Colorado School of Mines or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,792 there, against about $16,849 at Colorado School of Mines. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Colorado School of Mines or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University is the larger of the two, with about 8,143 undergraduates against 6,155 at Colorado School of Mines.
Does Colorado School of Mines or Colorado Mesa University have a better graduation rate?
Colorado School of Mines has the higher graduation rate, at about 81% against 41% at Colorado Mesa University.
Do graduates of Colorado School of Mines or Colorado Mesa University earn more?
Colorado School of Mines alumni earn more on average: a median of about $97,335 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,823 for Colorado Mesa University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa University require SAT or ACT scores?
Colorado School of Mines is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Colorado Mesa University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1320–1480 at Colorado School of Mines and 930–1160 at Colorado Mesa University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school