Skip to content

Colorado School of Mines vs Fort Lewis College

Colorado School of Mines is a public university in Golden, CO, and Fort Lewis College is a public college in Durango, CO. Colorado School of Mines is the more selective of the two, admitting about 61% of applicants against 77% at Fort Lewis College. Fort Lewis College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,296 a year against $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. About 81% of students graduate at Colorado School of Mines, compared with 39% at Fort Lewis College. Ten years after enrolling, Colorado School of Mines alumni earn a median of about $97,335, against $46,349 for Fort Lewis College.

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

Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Golden, CO
Durango, CO
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
6,155
3,079
Acceptance rate
61%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.6–4
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1320–1480
1010–1210
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
18–26
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,690
$17,296
Full cost / yr
$40,560
$27,030
In-state tuition
$21,914
$9,958
Out-of-state tuition
$45,824
$21,526
Application fee
$50
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,849
$18,622
$30k - $48k
$18,162
$17,014
$48k - $75k
$22,192
$19,468
$75k - $110k
$28,183
$19,498
Over $110k
$35,112
$13,158
Outcomes
Graduation rate
81%
39%
Freshman retention
93%
66%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$82,950
$36,352
Median earnings (10 yr)
$97,335
$46,349
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
$18,389
Student body
Pell grant recipients
14%
35%
First-generation students
15%
31%
International students
3%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 15
May 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 Fort Lewis College harder to get into?
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into. It admits about 61% of applicants, compared with 77% at Fort Lewis College. 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 Fort Lewis College?
Fort Lewis College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,296 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 Fort Lewis College?
Before aid, Fort Lewis College costs about $27,030 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 Fort Lewis College?
Colorado School of Mines. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,849 there, against about $18,622 at Fort Lewis College. 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 Fort Lewis College?
Colorado School of Mines is the larger of the two, with about 6,155 undergraduates against 3,079 at Fort Lewis College.
Does Colorado School of Mines or Fort Lewis College have a better graduation rate?
Colorado School of Mines has the higher graduation rate, at about 81% against 39% at Fort Lewis College.
Do graduates of Colorado School of Mines or Fort Lewis College earn more?
Colorado School of Mines alumni earn more on average: a median of about $97,335 ten years after enrolling, against about $46,349 for Fort Lewis College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Colorado School of Mines and Fort Lewis College require SAT or ACT scores?
Colorado School of Mines is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Fort Lewis College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Colorado School of Mines and Fort Lewis College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1320–1480 at Colorado School of Mines and 1010–1210 at Fort Lewis College. 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