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Colorado School of Mines vs Northwestern University

46 data points compared. Stronger value in each row highlighted. Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS.

14
Colorado Wins
6
Tied / N/A
26
Northwestern Wins

Overview

Public
Type
Private nonprofit
Suburban
Setting
Urban
Rocky Mountains
Region
Great Lakes
6,155
Enrollment
9,201
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

61%
Acceptance Rate
8%
1412
SAT Average
1533
31
ACT Midpoint
35
1320-1480
SAT Range
1510-1570

Cost & Financial Aid

$21,914
In-State Tuition
$68,322
$45,824
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,322
$28,690
Average Net Price
$29,167
$16,849
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$1,764
$18,162
Net Price ($30-48K)
$6,099
$22,192
Net Price ($48-75K)
$7,898
$35,112
Net Price ($110K+)
$48,777
14%
Pell Grant Rate
19%
32%
Federal Loan Rate
17%

Academics

81%
Graduation Rate
96%
93%
Retention Rate
98%
73%
Full-Time Faculty
83%
$14,000
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$20,322
15%
First-Gen Students
15%

Student Body

28%
Female
52%
68%
White
31%
14%
Hispanic
16%
1%
Black
8%
6%
Asian
21%
0.52
Diversity Index
0.81

Outcomes

$82,950
Earnings (6yr)
$76,844
$90,777
Earnings (8yr)
$83,487
$97,335
Earnings (10yr)
$89,363
$23,000
Median Debt
$15,000
0.24x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.17x
90%
Earning Above HS
85%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

249.12%
Mobility Rate
169.42%
6404.1%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
5518.6%
389.0%
From Bottom 20%
307.0%
$111,500
Parent Median Income
$168,500

Social Capital

1.78
Economic Connectedness
1.83
-0.02
Friending Bias
0.01
4.3%
Volunteering Rate
11.3%

Research (Times HE)

#201-225
World Rank
#25
24.6
Teaching Score
64.5
22.8
Research Score
68.8
63.7
Citations Score
95.3

The Overviews

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

61% accept 81% grad $97,335 earnings $28,690 net

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.

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit

8% accept 96% grad $89,363 earnings $29,167 net

Northwestern University has an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating strong student support and academic success. This high rate reflects the university’s commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time. With an acceptance rate of just 8%, gaining admission is highly competitive, attracting top talent from across the country.

The earnings potential for graduates is significant, with a 10-year median income of $89,363. This figure suggests that students who attend Northwestern can expect a strong return on their investment. However, 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which highlights that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, yet still have the opportunity to thrive here.

The net price for attending Northwestern is $29,167, and the median debt is relatively low at $15,000, making it more manageable for graduates. Students who excel here often pursue majors in engineering, social sciences, and communications. Those who thrive at Northwestern are typically motivated and high-achieving individuals, ready to engage in a challenging academic environment.

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