Skip to content

Colorado School of Mines vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado School of Mines is a public university in Golden, CO. Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public university in Fort Collins, CO. Colorado School of Mines admits about 61% of applicants and Colorado State University-Fort Collins about 89%, making Colorado School of Mines the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,279 a year at Colorado State University-Fort Collins after aid, and about $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. About 81% of students graduate at Colorado School of Mines, compared with 67% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Ten years after enrolling, Colorado School of Mines alumni earn a median of about $97,335, against $60,543 for Colorado State University-Fort Collins.

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 State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Golden, CO
Fort Collins, CO
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
6,155
25,538
Acceptance rate
61%
89%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.6–4
3.31–3.81
SAT (middle 50%)
1320–1480
1080–1290
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
23–29
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,690
$21,279
Full cost / yr
$40,560
$31,642
In-state tuition
$21,914
$13,373
Out-of-state tuition
$45,824
$34,783
Application fee
$50
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,849
$13,259
$30k - $48k
$18,162
$14,460
$48k - $75k
$22,192
$15,905
$75k - $110k
$28,183
$21,927
Over $110k
$35,112
$29,763
Outcomes
Graduation rate
81%
67%
Freshman retention
93%
86%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$82,950
$49,748
Median earnings (10 yr)
$97,335
$60,543
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
$20,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
14%
21%
First-generation students
15%
24%
International students
3%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15

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 State University-Fort Collins harder to get into?
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into. It admits about 61% of applicants, compared with 89% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 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 State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,279 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 State University-Fort Collins?
Before aid, Colorado State University-Fort Collins costs about $31,642 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 State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,259 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 State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is the larger of the two, with about 25,538 undergraduates against 6,155 at Colorado School of Mines.
Does Colorado School of Mines or Colorado State University-Fort Collins have a better graduation rate?
Colorado School of Mines has the higher graduation rate, at about 81% against 67% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Do graduates of Colorado School of Mines or Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn more?
Colorado School of Mines alumni earn more on average: a median of about $97,335 ten years after enrolling, against about $60,543 for Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University-Fort Collins require SAT or ACT scores?
Colorado School of Mines is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Colorado State University-Fort Collins is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University-Fort Collins look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1320–1480 at Colorado School of Mines and 1080–1290 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 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