Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado School of Mines vs Western Colorado University
Compare average net price ($28,690 at Colorado School of Mines; $16,425 at Western Colorado University), ROI score (8.48 vs 7.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($97,335 vs $46,833), and admissions selectivity (60.7% acceptance at Colorado School of Mines; 99.7% at Western Colorado University) 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 | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.48 ✓ | 7.13 |
| Avg net price | $28,690 | $16,425 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $114,760 | $65,700 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $21,914 | $11,318 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,824 | $24,434 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $97,335 ✓ | $46,833 |
| Acceptance rate | 60.7% | 99.7% |
| Graduation rate | 81.7% ✓ | 50.5% |
| Retention rate | 92.8% ✓ | 72.4% |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $20,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,155 | 1,586 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1412 | 1230 |
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 | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,849 | $11,490 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,162 | $10,868 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,192 | $13,908 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $28,183 | $16,928 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $35,112 | $21,396 ✓ |
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 | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 2.7% | 1.1% |
| Economics | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Chemistry | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| Physics | 0.6% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Colorado University reports the lower average net price by $12,265 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $49,060 difference over four years ($65,700 vs $114,760).
Colorado School of Mines reports $50,502 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($97,335 vs $46,833). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.8% at Colorado School of Mines and 72.4% at Western Colorado University. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $20,250, respectively.
4 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.
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Frequently asked
Colorado School of Mines vs Western Colorado University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Colorado University is cheaper — average net price $16,425 per year vs $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. The annual difference of $12,265 adds up to about $49,060 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 $46,833 at Western Colorado University. The gap in the federal data is $50,502. 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 99.7% at Western Colorado University.
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.