Head-to-Head Comparison
Clarkson University vs Colorado School of Mines
- Clarkson Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 10
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colorado School of Mines offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,690 vs Clarkson University's $30,305, Colorado School of Mines delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Colorado School of Mines's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Clarkson
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colorado Mines
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than Clarkson University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,690, roughly $1,615 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 81% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 61% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Clarkson graduates concentrate in Engineering (54% 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 Clarkson University. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $89,696.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Clarkson University. Net price $28,690 vs $30,305.
Pick Clarkson University over Colorado School of Mines. 3% mobility rate vs 2.5%.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Clarkson University. 81% completion rate vs 74%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Clarkson University and Colorado School of Mines are close on paper, but Colorado School of Mines wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Colorado School of Mines is the harder admit. It takes 61% of applicants, while Clarkson University takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,304 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, Colorado School of Mines comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,690, about $1,615 a year below Clarkson University's $30,305. Graduates of Colorado School of Mines also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,460 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 $89,696 at Clarkson University. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colorado School of Mines has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% 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
Colorado School of Mines graduates a larger share of its students, 81% versus 74%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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
Clarkson University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3%; at Colorado School of Mines, it is 2.5%. Clarkson University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Clarkson University 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 Clarkson University 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
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into, with a 61% admit rate, but Clarkson University posts the higher mobility rate, at 3%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Clarkson 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 Clarkson University's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colorado School of Mines has less business program depth, and Clarkson University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Colorado School of Mines's enrollment of 6,155 far exceeds Clarkson University's 2,196.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 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
Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of 77%, Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, is a solid choice for students seeking a blend of academic rigor and community feel. It's particularly suitable for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business and Marketing, Biology, Computer Science, and Psychology. The hands-on learning and collaborative environment stand out, making it easier for students to connect their studies to real-world applications.
Looking at what comes after graduation, the average earnings ten years out is $89,696. This figure is telling; it suggests that graduates from Clarkson tend to find good job opportunities that lead to solid financial stability. While the median debt is $26,000, the affordability of education here can help mitigate the long-term financial burden for many students.
When we talk about the practical side of attending Clarkson, the net price after aid hovers around $30,305. This cost is manageable compared to what many private institutions charge, especially when considering the potential return on investment. Students who thrive here are typically those who are proactive, engaged, and eager to apply their learning in real-world contexts. The supportive campus community also plays a role in helping students succeed.
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
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 54% of Clarkson's student body and 74% of Colorado Mines's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Clarkson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines).
The two schools feed different job markets. Clarkson 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 Clarkson University or Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into, admitting 61% of applicants compared with 77% at Clarkson University.
Which is more affordable, Clarkson University or Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,690 after aid versus $30,305 at Clarkson University.
Do Clarkson 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 $89,696 at Clarkson University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Clarkson University or Colorado School of Mines?
Colorado School of Mines has the higher graduation rate, 81% versus 74%.
Clarkson University vs Colorado School of Mines: which is better for social mobility?
Clarkson University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3% versus 2.5%.
Should you choose Clarkson University 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 Clarkson University 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.
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