The Colorado School of Mines is a highly specialized public engineering university in Golden, Colorado, focused on earth sciences, energy, and applied engineering. Its unique emphasis on mining, petroleum, and geological engineering, combined with small class sizes and proximity to outdoor recreation, makes it a distinctive choice for STEM students.
Mascot: Oredigger
Notable Alumni
George Saunders (Booker Prize-winning author)•Arden Bement (director of the NSF)•John Polk Allen (creator of Biosphere 2)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Mines is an academic pressure cooker where the running joke is that your social life, sleep, and grades form a 'pick two' triangle — and most students pick grades and sleep. Greek life exists but doesn't define the social scene — engineering culture does. E-Days (Engineering Days) is the campus's signature blowout and functions as the collective release valve for a semester's worth of problem sets. Golden is a charming small town with easy access to ski slopes and hiking.
A compact hilltop campus in Golden with dramatic views of the Front Range foothills. The setting is striking, though the buildings themselves are modest and engineering-functional.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
The Mines Police Department has 13 sworn officers providing 24/7 coverage for a small student body. Most incidents are alcohol-related disciplinary referrals, and violent crime is extremely rare.
Golden is a small foothill community west of Denver with violent crime rates well below the national average. The neighborhoods around campus are safe and walkable.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Weekdays during academic year. Make it Mines admitted student event in April.
Duration: ~2 hours (30-min info session + 90-min walking tour with student ambassador)
Tour begins at the Starzer Welcome Center at 1812 Illinois Street. The walking portion is about 1 mile and takes roughly an hour. Contact admissions at (303) 384-2027 or admissions@mines.edu.
Book a TourOne-mile self-guided walking tour starting at the Starzer Welcome Center. 360-degree virtual tour also available online anytime.
Tour ResourcesSeptember-October for crisp mountain air, golden aspens, and active campus life. April-May is also great with spring energy. Avoid mid-December through January (cold, campus quiet for break). Golden averages 300 days of sunshine, so most visits are pleasant weather-wise.
Visitor Lot at 1853 Illinois St, directly across from the Starzer Welcome Center. $10/day before 2pm, $5/day after 2pm. Pay via ParkMobile app. Denver International Airport (DEN) is 45 minutes east. Take I-70 west to Highway 93 into Golden. Parking enforced 7am-5pm weekdays.
Location
Similar Colleges
Find the right college for you
Explore 161 colleges by degree, filter by acceptance rate, SAT range, and more.
Explore Colleges