Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado School of Mines vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Compare average net price ($28,690 at Colorado School of Mines; $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins), ROI score (8.48 vs 7.11), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($97,335 vs $60,543), and admissions selectivity (60.7% acceptance at Colorado School of Mines; 88.5% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Colorado School of Mines | Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.48 ✓ | 7.11 |
| Avg net price | $28,690 | $21,279 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $114,760 | $85,116 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $21,914 | $13,373 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,824 | $34,783 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $97,335 ✓ | $60,543 |
| Acceptance rate | 60.7% | 88.5% |
| Graduation rate | 81.7% ✓ | 66.5% |
| Retention rate | 92.8% ✓ | 85.9% |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $20,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,155 | 25,538 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1412 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Colorado School of Mines | Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,849 | $13,259 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,162 | $14,460 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,192 | $15,905 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $28,183 | $21,927 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $35,112 | $29,763 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Colorado School of Mines | Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 18.6% | 2.7% |
| Chemical Engineering | 9.5% | 1% |
| Civil Engineering | 6.2% | 2% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 6% | 1.3% |
| Economics | 1.9% | 1.7% |
| Systems Engineering | 2.8% | 0.5% |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 2.7% | 0.6% |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 2.2% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports the lower average net price by $7,411 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $29,644 difference over four years ($85,116 vs $114,760).
Colorado School of Mines reports $36,792 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($97,335 vs $60,543). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.8% at Colorado School of Mines and 85.9% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $20,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Colorado School of Mines vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is cheaper — average net price $21,279 per year vs $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. The annual difference of $7,411 adds up to about $29,644 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colorado School of Mines reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $97,335 vs $60,543 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The gap in the federal data is $36,792. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Colorado School of Mines is more selective at 60.7% acceptance vs 88.5% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.