Head-to-Head Comparison
Brigham Young University vs Colorado School of Mines
- Brigham Young Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 12
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brigham Young University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $15,564 vs Colorado School of Mines's $28,690, Brigham Young University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brigham Young University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brigham Young
- Lower cost: Average net price of $15,564, roughly $13,126 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,069, the lower of the two
Colorado Mines
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 28% more than Brigham Young University
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 61% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brigham Young graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (17% 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 Brigham Young University. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $75,790.
Pick Brigham Young University over Colorado School of Mines. Net price $15,564 vs $28,690.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Brigham Young University. 2.5% mobility rate vs 0.7%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brigham Young University and Colorado School of Mines split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Colorado School of Mines is the harder admit. It takes 61% of applicants, while Brigham Young University takes 68%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,376 to 1,412.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colorado School of Mines 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, Brigham Young University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $15,564, about $13,126 a year below Colorado School of Mines's $28,690. Graduates of Brigham Young University also borrow less: median debt of $11,069, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $52,504 before any change in aid. Choosing Brigham Young University 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 $75,790 at Brigham Young University. That is a 28% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brigham Young University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 28% 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.
Moving people up
Colorado School of Mines does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.5%; at Brigham Young University, it is 0.7%. Colorado School of Mines also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Colorado School of Mines 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 Brigham Young University to keep costs and debt down; pick Colorado School of Mines for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Brigham Young University saves about $13,126 a year, yet Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $21,545 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Brigham Young University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while Colorado School of Mines leans toward Computer Science & IT, 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 Brigham Young University's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brigham Young University's enrollment of 32,952 far exceeds Colorado School of Mines's 6,155.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,690 runs well above Brigham Young University's $15,564.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $11,069 at Brigham Young University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colorado School of Mines has less business program depth, and Brigham Young University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Colorado Mines offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Brigham Young 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) 4 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
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Private nonprofit
Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, is a great fit for students looking for a vibrant campus experience with a strong academic focus. With an acceptance rate of 68%, it welcomes a diverse group of learners. Students here can dive into popular fields like Business and Marketing, Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science, all of which have proven track records. The 82% graduation rate indicates that many students not only enroll but also successfully finish their degrees, which is a solid indicator of support and student satisfaction.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, the financial prospects seem promising. Graduates earn an average of $75,790 within a decade of completing their studies. This suggests that the skills and knowledge gained here can lead to upward mobility in the job market. The affordability of attending BYU is also noteworthy, especially with a net price of $15,564 after aid, making it accessible for a variety of students.
When it comes to managing debt, students graduate with a median debt of $11,069, which is relatively manageable compared to many institutions. This financial landscape allows students to focus on their careers without being overly burdened by loans. Those who thrive here often appreciate the community-oriented environment and the emphasis on values in both academic and personal life.
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
Brigham Young University is featured on the Best Colleges in Utah ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brigham Young's top program is Business Administration (17% 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 Brigham Young) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brigham Young University is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Colorado School of Mines concentrates in 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 Brigham Young University or Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into, admitting 61% of applicants compared with 68% at Brigham Young University.
Which is more affordable, Brigham Young University or Colorado School of Mines?
Brigham Young University is more affordable, with an average net price of $15,564 after aid versus $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines.
Do Brigham Young University 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 $75,790 at Brigham Young University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brigham Young University or Colorado School of Mines?
Brigham Young University has the higher graduation rate, 82% versus 81%.
Brigham Young University vs Colorado School of Mines: which is better for social mobility?
Colorado School of Mines is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.5% versus 0.7%.
Should you choose Brigham Young University or Colorado School of Mines?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brigham Young University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Colorado School of Mines if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. 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 Brigham Young 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.
