Head-to-head comparison
University of Colorado Boulder vs Colorado School of Mines: which has better ROI?
Option A Boulder, CO
University of Colorado Boulder
- Net price / year
- $25,346
- Earnings, 10 years
- $69,738
- Payback
- 4.7 yrs
Option B Golden, CO
Colorado School of Mines
- Net price / year
- $28,690
- Earnings, 10 years
- $97,335
- Payback
- 2.3 yrs
Colorado School of Mines has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,760 in 2.3 years versus 4.7 years at University of Colorado Boulder, on median earnings of $97,335 vs $69,738 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Boulder | Colorado School of Mines |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,346 | $28,690 |
| Total net cost | $101,384 | $114,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,738 | $97,335 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $326,176 | $864,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado School of Mines?
University of Colorado Boulder, at $25,346 a year after aid versus $28,690 — a gap of $3,344 a year, or $13,376 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates report a median $97,335 ten years after entry, $27,597 more than the $69,738 at University of Colorado Boulder. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado School of Mines?
University of Colorado Boulder: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Colorado School of Mines, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Colorado School of Mines, against 74% at University of Colorado Boulder. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.