Colorado School of Mines

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Highly-Rated Degree Programs at the Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines appears in our ranking of 100 Affordable Public Schools With High 40-Year ROIs.

Although Colorado’s School of Mines is, as it has always been, a university dedicated to mining and engineering, students who graduate from this school have well-rounded educations. “Mines,” as it is informally called, requires all students to complete courses in the humanities and in social sciences as well as in its technology-based offerings. The university offers 17 degree programs for undergraduates.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics requires completion of 128.5 credit-hours of coursework. In addition to courses in the major, all students take 19 hours of coursework in the Department of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). Students in this program do not choose an emphasis until their senior year. At that point, they may choose to specialize their degree to either a Bachelor of Science in Computational and Applied Mathematics or a Bachelor of Science in Statistics. There is also a summer field experience involved in the curriculum. Sample Courses are Mathematical Modeling, Development and Analysis of Numerical Algorithms and Use of Mathematical Software.

Undergraduate degrees also include a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a 127-credit-hour program that includes physical activity courses ( physical education) every year. Other courses include Calculus for Scientists and Engineers I, II and III, Nature and Human Values, Physics I- Mechanics and Physics II- Electromagnetism and Optics and others. There are five areas of emphasis available: Business, Computational Engineering, Data Science, Research Honors and Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Students may also complete this program as an 18-hour minor.

Other undergraduate programs and departments include economics and business; engineering, design and society; electrical engineering; geology and geological engineering; geophysics; and others. All of these majors look through the lens of engineering and science. For example, the Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business builds upon the basic core classes required of all CSM students to feature global economics as they apply to engineers and scientists.

Students may earn a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering, in Petroleum Engineering, in Physics and in several interdisciplinary areas.

Graduate programs at Mines are specialized as well. The Colorado School of Mines is the only university in the world that has doctoral degrees in all five major earth sciences. Students may earn a Master of Science or a Ph.D. in Advanced Energy Systems; M.S. or a certificate in Advanced Manufacturing; A Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry; M.S. or a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics; M.S. in Chemistry, M.S> or a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering and an M.S. in Computer Science.

There is a Professional Degree (post-baccalaureate) in Environmental Geochemistry that features courses such as History and Evolution of Earth and Its Features; Geochemistry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Aqueous Resources; Aqueous Geochemistry; Fluid Rock; Fluid-Mineral Interactions and others. All master’s degrees at the Colorado School of Mines require completion of a minimum of 30 credit-hours of coursework.

The Colorado School of Mines has an online component as well. It currently only offers one approved program but accreditation of several others is pending. Space Resources s available as a certificate program, as a Master of Science program or as a Ph.D. offering. The programs are for those interested in using their knowledge, aptitudes and skills in the exploration and development of resources found in space.

About the Colorado School of Mines

This public school is in Golden, Colorado. It was founded in 1873 as the School of Mines, affiliated with the Episcopal Church. In 1876, when Colorado became a state, it assumed ownership of the institution. Originally, all Colorado residents attended free of tuition.

There are 16 academic departments at the school and 14 interdisciplinary programs. The School of Mines is very selective, accepting fewer than half of applicants. There are 6,268 students enrolled, of which 70 percent are male. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, and CSM has an impressive 59 percent four-year graduation rate. The US News and World Report ranks CSM 80th of National Universities. The QS World Ranking lists Colorado School of Mines as first in mineral and mining engineering.

Colorado School of Mines Accreditation Details

  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ( ABET)

Colorado School of Mines Application Requirements

This school is very selective, and the average ACT score for applicants is 31. All first-year applicants to this university apply online at www.mines.edu. They should arrange for their high schools to submit their official transcripts, including class rank, to CSM. The testing agency for the SAT or ACT should send those official results as well. Students may apply after the eleventh grade. There is a non-refundable $45 application fee and the school requires students to have a health form on file.

Students applying to the graduate school apply online as well. Requisites vary be department, but generally include their official transcripts of undergraduate work, three letters of recommendation, official GRE scores, a health record and any other departmental requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition at the Colorado School of Mines is 16,650 per year. Including other fees and expenses, room and board and supplies, the cost of attendance for undergraduates is $36,693 or $555 per credit-hour.

Graduate tuition is also $16,650 and, with other fees, room and board, supplies and personal expenses, the cost of attendance is estimated at $40,362 per year.

Online students pay $999 per credit hour.

All students at the Colorado School of Mines are considered automatically for scholarships and are not required to complete a FAFSA form. Some scholarships that are awarded on the basis of financial need, however, do depend upon the information contained in that application and require that students have a completed FAFSA on file at the school.

In addition to the federal aid programs, Colorado has some limited financial assistance for higher education. The School of Mines also has some resources such as the Provost Scholarship, President’s Merit Scholarship and the new PATH program for computer science majors.

There are not as many programs for graduate students, but an Internet search will show scholarships and grants funded by individuals, organizations and corporations. The university has assistantships, graduate teacher and fellowship opportunities as well. There are several ways to finance a degree program at the Colorado School of Mines.

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