Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university in Golden, just west of Denver, built almost entirely around engineering and applied science. Roughly 5,700 undergraduates study at a school where about 78% of bachelor's degrees are awarded in engineering, with computer science a distant second. Admission is moderately selective: Mines admitted about 58% of applicants for its most recent first-year class, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1340–1460 (30–33 ACT) and an average high school GPA near 3.85. A 94% first-year retention rate and strong engineering career outcomes keep it among the most STEM-focused universities in the country.
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Colorado Mines admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Colorado Mines offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Standardized Tests
Colorado Mines is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Colorado Mines's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 43% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Colorado Mines does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Colorado Mines weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Colorado Mines's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $22,080 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Colorado Mines admissions
Is it hard to get into Colorado School of Mines?＋
Mines is moderately selective, admitting about 58% of applicants for its most recent first-year class (roughly 6,300 admits from about 10,900 applications). The bar is academic more than holistic: enrolled first-years carried an average high school GPA near 3.85, and rigor of coursework and GPA are the two factors Mines weighs as very important, so a strong record in advanced math and science is what matters most.
What GPA and test scores do you need for Colorado School of Mines?＋
Admitted first-years average about a 3.85 high school GPA, and the middle 50% scored 1340–1460 on the SAT or 30–33 on the ACT. There is no fixed cutoff, but Mines treats the rigor of your course load and your GPA as very important, so a demanding schedule in math and science weighs more than any single number.
Is Colorado School of Mines test-optional?＋
Yes. Mines is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and submitted scores are considered rather than required. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1340–1460 on the SAT and 30–33 on the ACT.
What are my chances of getting into Mines from out of state?＋
Out-of-state students make up a large share of Mines: about half of first-years come from outside Colorado. Mines lists state residency only as a considered factor, well below academics, so non-residents are judged mainly on the same academic profile as everyone else (around a 3.85 GPA and a 1340–1460 SAT), against an overall admit rate near 58%.
How much does Colorado School of Mines cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $20,040 per year for Colorado residents and $42,120 for out-of-state students, with on-campus food and housing adding roughly $16,110. About 26% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, the average need-based package is near $17,211, and Mines meets about 67% of demonstrated need on average.
What is Colorado School of Mines known for?＋
Mines is an engineering and applied-science university: about 78% of its bachelor's degrees are in engineering, with computer and information sciences another 17%. Mathematics, the physical sciences, and the geosciences round out a curriculum built around the earth, energy, and materials fields the school is known for.
Does the application essay matter at Colorado School of Mines?＋
Yes. Mines rates the application essay as an important factor in its review, above test scores, which are only considered. With grades and course rigor carrying the most weight, a focused, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to add context to your record and show why engineering at Mines fits you.
Is a 1450 SAT good enough for Colorado School of Mines?＋
A 1450 is competitive at Mines: it sits in the upper half of enrolled students, just under the 75th-percentile mark of 1460. The middle 50% of first-years scored 1340–1460 on the SAT and 30–33 on the ACT, so a 1450 lines up with a typical admitted student. Because Mines is test-optional, a score in this range generally helps your application.
Source: Colorado School of Mines Common Data Set 2022-2023. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Colorado Mines. Banner photo by Luke Jones, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).