Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs Colorado School of Mines
- Barnard Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 18
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colorado School of Mines offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Barnard College achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 81%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,800 compared to Colorado School of Mines's $28,690 for in-state paths. Students who choose Colorado School of Mines benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $97,335 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Barnard
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Colorado Mines
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than Barnard College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,690, roughly $110 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Colorado Mines in Engineering (74%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Barnard College. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Barnard College. Net price $28,690 vs $28,800.
Pick Barnard College over Colorado School of Mines. 3.5% mobility rate vs 2.5%.
Pick Barnard College over Colorado School of Mines. 93% completion rate vs 81%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and Colorado School of Mines are close on paper, but Barnard College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Barnard College is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while Colorado School of Mines takes 61%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,412.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Barnard College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Colorado School of Mines comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,690, about $110 a year below Barnard College's $28,800. Graduates of Barnard College also borrow less: median debt of $18,000, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $440 before any change in aid. Choosing Colorado School of Mines leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Colorado School of Mines graduates report median earnings of $97,335, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Barnard College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Barnard College graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 81%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Barnard College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.5%; at Colorado School of Mines, it is 2.5%. Barnard College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Barnard College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Colorado School of Mines to keep costs and debt down; pick Barnard College if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Barnard College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Colorado School of Mines leans toward Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Barnard College's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $18,000 at Barnard College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Colorado School of Mines's enrollment of 6,155 far exceeds Barnard College's 3,264.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Barnard offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Colorado Mines does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Barnard College
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 9%, Barnard College attracts a driven and academically ambitious group of students. It's a great fit for those who are passionate about the liberal arts and sciences, and you’ll find a vibrant selection of programs here, including Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and the Visual and Performing Arts. The close-knit community in the heart of New York City offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and cultural experiences.
After graduation, Barnard alumni see impressive earnings, with a median income of $80,516 after ten years. This level of financial success is a clear indicator of the value of a Barnard degree in today’s job market. The school’s strong graduation rate of 93% speaks volumes about student support and engagement, making it likely that graduates will find their footing in a competitive landscape.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid stands at $28,800, which is manageable given the potential earning power of graduates. With a median debt of $18,000, students tend to graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive here are often those who are not only academically inclined but also eager to engage with the diverse opportunities the city has to offer, making Barnard a launching pad for future success.
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · Public
Graduates from the Colorado School of Mines earn a median salary of $97,335 just ten years after enrollment. This impressive figure reflects the school's strong focus on engineering and applied sciences. With a student body of 6,155, Mines attracts students who are serious about pursuing careers in technical fields.
The school has an 81% graduation rate, indicating that most students complete their degrees in a timely manner. While specific mobility and economic connectedness data are not available, the focus on high-demand areas like engineering and computer science generally leads to strong job prospects for graduates. Students who come from lower-income backgrounds may find support through limited Pell Grant funding, as 14% of students receive these grants.
Attending Mines comes with a net price of $28,690, and graduates typically leave with a median debt of $23,000. This combination of cost and potential earnings makes the return on investment favorable. Students who thrive here are often those with a solid foundation in math and science, ready to tackle challenging coursework in a collaborative environment.
Rankings They Appear On
Colorado School of Mines is featured on the Best Colleges in Colorado ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Barnard's top program is Sociology (29% of enrollment), while Colorado Mines leads with Mechanical Engineering (74%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Barnard) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines).
The two schools feed different job markets. Barnard College is strongest in Social Sciences, Psychology, while Colorado School of Mines concentrates in Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Barnard College or Colorado School of Mines?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 61% at Colorado School of Mines.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,690 after aid versus $28,800 at Barnard College.
Do Barnard College or Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or Colorado School of Mines?
Barnard College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 81%.
Barnard College vs Colorado School of Mines: which is better for social mobility?
Barnard College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.5% versus 2.5%.
Should you choose Barnard College or Colorado School of Mines?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colorado School of Mines if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Barnard College if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Barnard and Colorado Mines stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
