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.
#1 Best Public University in Colorado
Niche, 2025
#1 Best Public
College in Colorado
Money Magazine, 2024
#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
R1 classification by Carnegie
the highest designation granted to U.S.research universities
$106M in total research awards
during FY24
16:1 student faculty ratio
small class sizes ensure hands-on learning and mentorship
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
Mines Athletics
18
intercollegiate varsity athletics teams
TOP 10
of all Division II programs for National LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup
7
Consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Sports Competition Cup championships
370
All- Americans in Mines history earning 903 total awards through the 2022-23 school year
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.