Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado School of Mines vs Community College of Denver
Compare average net price ($28,690 at Colorado School of Mines; $9,450 at Community College of Denver), ROI score (8.48 vs 10.34), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($97,335 vs $39,095), and admissions context (60.7% at Colorado School of Mines; Open / not reported at Community College of Denver) 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 | Community College of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.48 | 10.34 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $28,690 | $9,450 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $114,760 | $37,800 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $21,914 | $4,902 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,824 | $17,136 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $97,335 ✓ | $39,095 |
| Acceptance rate | 60.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 81.7% ✓ | 20% |
| Retention rate | 92.8% | — |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $12,495 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,155 | 5,096 |
| 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 | Community College of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,849 | $8,356 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,162 | $9,533 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,192 | $10,662 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $28,183 | $13,041 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $35,112 | $16,275 ✓ |
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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Denver reports the lower average net price by $19,240 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $76,960 difference over four years ($37,800 vs $114,760).
Colorado School of Mines reports $58,240 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($97,335 vs $39,095). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Colorado School of Mines vs Community College of Denver, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Denver is cheaper — average net price $9,450 per year vs $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. The annual difference of $19,240 adds up to about $76,960 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 $39,095 at Community College of Denver. The gap in the federal data is $58,240. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.