,·Public Research University·Est. 1874
“Engineering and applied science at altitude — training the world's problem-solvers.”
Colorado School of Mines is one of the most specialized and respected STEM universities in the United States, consistently ranked among the top engineering and applied science institutions in the world. Founded in 1874, Mines has a singular mission: to develop engineers and scientists who solve the world's most pressing challenges in energy, environment, and resources. Located in Golden, Colorado — a small city nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains — Mines offers students one of the most stunning natural environments of any university in America. The proximity to Denver (25 minutes), world-class skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreation means students enjoy an exceptional quality of life alongside a demanding but rewarding academic program. With an enrollment of fewer than 6,000 undergraduates, Mines offers a focused, close-knit community where students know their professors and collaborate intensively on research projects from their first year. Graduates are among the highest-earning in the nation, and Mines alumni are highly sought after by energy companies, tech firms, national laboratories, and consulting firms worldwide.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Petroleum Engineering
US News 2026
Mining & Mineral Engineering
US News 2026
Test Required — All applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; priority scholarships
Regular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$22,667
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$47,319
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
The core of the Mines academic experience, with ABET-accredited programs in nearly every engineering discipline.
Specializes in the fields that define Mines' unique identity — mining, geosciences, petroleum, and materials.
Programs focused on the sustainable use and management of natural resources, from geology to environmental science.
4 years
Among the top petroleum engineering programs in the world, with deep industry partnerships across the energy sector. Mines was founded in 1874 to serve the Colorado mining industry and remains a global leader in subsurface energy and resource extraction. STEM-designated.
4 years
Mines' largest undergraduate major (~300 degrees granted annually), with strengths in robotics, advanced manufacturing, energy systems, and aerospace. The Capstone Design program partners every senior with an industry-sponsored project. STEM-designated for OPT.
4 years
Rapidly growing CS program with strong tracks in computational and applied mathematics, robotics, and data science. Benefits from Mines' STEM-only academic profile and proximity to the Denver tech corridor (NREL, Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace). STEM-designated.
4 years
Mines founded the world's first geophysics department in 1926. Modern program covers seismic exploration, environmental geophysics, and planetary geophysics — increasingly relevant to renewables, water, and the energy transition. Small cohort, exceptional industry/government placement.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $67,711
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
