Rankings

Colorado School of Mines

How Mines stacks up

Our reputation is built on the results of our STEM-focused education and research, and our rankings show how we’re leading the way while engineering solutions on Earth and beyond.

Here’s a quick look at Mines by the numbers below, and if you need a printable version, download it here

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#1 Best Public University in Colorado
Niche, 2025

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#1 Best Public
College in Colorado
Money Magazine, 2024

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#1 Mineral and Mining Engineering
QS World University Rankings, 2024

A top-tier research university where students and faculty solve critical challenges

At Mines, we’re committed to working together to tackle tomorrow’s biggest challenges and translate science and engineering into technologies and innovations that improve our lives. We’re shaping what’s next in energy, mineral resources, advanced materials and manufacturing, and sustainable environment and climate.

TOP 40 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

U.S. News & World Report and Forbes, 2024

TOP 30 BEST COLLEGES FOR ENGINEERING IN AMERICA

Niche, 2024

TOP RANKED BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Payscale, 2024

Orediggers are in high demand

Mines has been powering industry, Colorado and the future since 1874 and our graduates have always been in high demand. With expert faculty, top facilities and strong industry partnerships, Mines creates the ideal environment for producing exceptional leaders, problem-solvers and innovators. The world looks to Mines for engineers from the front of the pack.

721 employers attend bi-annual Career Days (fall and spring)*

870 organizations posted 4,610 jobs in DiggerNet

1,064 internships and co-ops posted

Mines facts

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R1 classification by Carnegie

the highest designation granted to U.S.research universities

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$106M in total research awards

during FY24

Faculty ratio

16:1 student faculty ratio

small class sizes ensure hands-on learning and mentorship

Maker Spaces

35,000+ square feet of makerspaces

dedicated to students pursuing innovation

Seeking students who are driven and curious

Mines students are more than GPAs and test scores. They embody a unique blend of curiosity, talent for innovation, and passion for tackling complex challenges. Orediggers are sought-after leaders in all of their pursuits – whether doing research in a lab, solving problems with a team, or displaying exceptional skills on the field, stage or page. They are future engineers and active artists, writers, musicians, athletes, climbers, journalists, skiers, dancers and more.

11,500+

students apply each year for ~1,500 first-year student seats

8,058

total enrollment of undergraduate and graduate students in fall 2024

200+

student-led organizations to choose from

Students testing this boats in the creek during E-Days

Mines Athletics

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18

intercollegiate varsity athletics teams

Top 10

TOP 10

of all Division II programs for National LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup

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7

Consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Sports Competition Cup championships

High-5

370

All- Americans in Mines history earning 903 total awards through the 2022-23 school year

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156

Academic All- Americans in our history – the most by any NCAA Division II institution

OUR HOMETOWN IS GOLDEN.


Five minutes from campus:

  • Jam to live music events.
  • Cheer on our Orediggers.
  • Hike up Mt. Zion.
  • Visit restaurants, festivals and more.