Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Colorado School of Mines
- Brown Wins
- 29
- Tied
- 12
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,184 vs Colorado School of Mines's $28,690, Brown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brown University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,184, roughly $3,506 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #55
Colorado Mines
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 4% more than Brown University
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% 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 Brown University. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $93,487.
Pick Brown University over Colorado School of Mines. Net price $25,184 vs $28,690.
Pick Brown University over Colorado School of Mines. THE World Rank #55 vs #201-225.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Brown University. 2.5% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Brown University over Colorado School of Mines. 96% completion rate vs 81%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Colorado School of Mines are close on paper, but Brown University 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
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Colorado School of Mines takes 61%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,412.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University 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, Brown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,184, about $3,506 a year below Colorado School of Mines's $28,690. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $14,024 before any change in aid. Choosing Brown 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 $93,487 at Brown University. That is a 4% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 4% 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
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 81%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 15% 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
Colorado School of Mines does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.5%; at Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.9%.
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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Brown University sits higher, at #55 versus #201.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Brown 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. Brown University saves about $3,506 a year, yet Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $3,848 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Colorado School of Mines posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University 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
- Engineering-focused students: Colorado School of Mines has the stronger engineering programs.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,690 runs well above Brown University's $25,184.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $11,428 at Brown University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown 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
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
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
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% 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 Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Social Sciences, while Colorado School of Mines concentrates in Engineering. 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 Brown University or Colorado School of Mines?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 61% at Colorado School of Mines.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Colorado School of Mines?
Brown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,184 after aid versus $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines.
Do Brown 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 $93,487 at Brown University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Colorado School of Mines?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 81%.
Brown 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 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or Colorado School of Mines?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brown 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.
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