Head-to-Head Comparison
Colorado School of Mines vs Providence College
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 30
- Tied
- 15
- Providence Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colorado School of Mines offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Providence College achieves a higher graduation rate (87% vs 81%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $48,523 compared to Colorado School of Mines's $28,690. 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Colorado Mines
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 12% more than Providence College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,690, roughly $19,833 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Providence
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 51% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colorado Mines graduates concentrate in Engineering (74% of degrees); Providence in Business & Marketing (42%). 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 Providence College. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $87,054.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Providence College. Net price $28,690 vs $48,523.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Providence College. 2.5% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Providence College over Colorado School of Mines. 87% completion rate vs 81%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colorado School of Mines and Providence College are close on paper, but Colorado School of Mines 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
Providence College is the harder admit. It takes 51% of applicants, while Colorado School of Mines takes 61%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,412 to 1,346.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Providence 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 $19,833 a year below Providence College's $48,523. Graduates of Colorado School of Mines also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $79,332 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 $87,054 at Providence College. That is a 12% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colorado School of Mines has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 12% 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
Providence College graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 81%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% 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 Providence College, it is 0.9%. Colorado School of Mines also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 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 Colorado School of Mines to keep costs and debt down.
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
Providence College is harder to get into, with a 51% 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. Colorado School of Mines concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Providence College leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Colorado School of Mines has less business program depth, and Providence College offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Colorado School of Mines's enrollment of 6,155 far exceeds Providence College's 4,229.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,523 runs well above Colorado School of Mines's $28,690.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $23,000 at Colorado School of Mines.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Providence College's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Providence 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
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.
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 4,200 students, Providence College is a great fit for those looking for a close-knit community while still enjoying the resources of a larger institution. The college’s emphasis on programs like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Biology & Biomedical sets a clear academic direction for students. The 51% acceptance rate indicates that while it's selective, there are plenty of opportunities for students who are passionate about their fields.
Looking ahead, the average earnings for graduates after ten years is around $87,054. That’s a solid number that reflects the value of a degree from this institution. Graduates are likely to see upward mobility in their careers, which is a significant consideration when choosing a school. The fact that 87% of students graduate suggests a supportive environment that helps students stay on track and achieve their goals.
Financially, the net price after aid stands at $48,523, and the median debt for graduates is $27,000. This debt load is manageable compared to the earning potential, making it a reasonable investment in education. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are engaged in their studies and take advantage of the community support available. Overall, Providence College presents a compelling option for students focused on both academic and career success.
Rankings They Appear On
Colorado School of Mines is featured on the Best Colleges in Colorado ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colorado Mines's top program is Mechanical Engineering (74% of enrollment), while Providence leads with Business Administration (42%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Providence).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colorado School of Mines is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Providence College concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology. 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 Colorado School of Mines or Providence College?
Providence College is harder to get into, admitting 51% of applicants compared with 61% at Colorado School of Mines.
Which is more affordable, Colorado School of Mines or Providence College?
Colorado School of Mines is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,690 after aid versus $48,523 at Providence College.
Do Colorado School of Mines or Providence College graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, versus $87,054 at Providence College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colorado School of Mines or Providence College?
Providence College has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 81%.
Colorado School of Mines vs Providence College: 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 0.9%.
Should you choose Colorado School of Mines or Providence College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colorado School of Mines if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Providence College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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