Colorado School of Mines

Getting in is the hard part. Colorado School of Mines admitted 60.7% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1320–1480 on the SAT and 29–33 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Colorado School of Mines actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

At Mines, be accepted for who you are, and with the support of our faculty and groundbreaking research facilities, explore what truly drives you to make a difference.

Mines primarily serves a full-time undergraduate student body through a four-year, residential academic experience focused on engineering and applied sciences.

• Chemical EngineeringTechnical expertise, foundational knowledge
• Computer ScienceSTEM-focused, industry partnerships
• Quantitative Biosciences and EngineeringInnovation, research opportunities

Verified from mines.edu and undergraduate-admissions.mines.edu and mines.edu and mines.edu and admissions.mines.edu and mines.edu and mines.edu and mines.edu.

• Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from mines.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from mines.edu.

The sticker price is about $40,560, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $28,690.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $97,335.

Verified from mines.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Hike the M, celebrate E-Days, then collaborate on a Capstone project, a Tuesday here is filled with tradition and innovation.”

Take a tour of our beautiful campus in Golden, Colorado, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Is Colorado School of Mines test-optional?

For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Colorado School of Mines is optional.

How hard is it to get into Colorado School of Mines?

Very hard. Colorado School of Mines admits 60.7% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1320 to 1480 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

How much does Colorado School of Mines cost?

The list price is about $40,560, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $28,690.

Is Colorado School of Mines worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $97,335 ten years after enrolling, and 81% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.