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Head-to-Head Comparison

Colorado School of Mines vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

Colorado Mines Wins
23
Tied
17
Saint Joseph's Wins
9

Direct Answer

For overall financial value, Colorado School of Mines offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,690 vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689, 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

Colorado Mines

  • Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 12% more than Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
  • Lower cost: Average net price of $28,690, roughly $999 a year less
  • 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

Saint Joseph's

No clear advantage detected in core metrics.

The Actual Decision

What are you really choosing between?

Colorado Mines graduates concentrate in Engineering (74% of degrees); Saint Joseph's in Business & Marketing (39%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.

If you want… Choose
Engineering Colorado Mines
Business & entrepreneurship Saint Joseph's
Pre-med & health Saint Joseph's
Computer science & AI Colorado Mines
Lab & physical sciences Saint Joseph's
Psychology Saint Joseph's
Economics & public policy Saint Joseph's
Education & teaching Saint Joseph's
Communications & media Saint Joseph's

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?

Maximizing post-grad earnings → Colorado School of Mines

Pick Colorado School of Mines over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $86,881.

Keeping costs down → Colorado School of Mines

Pick Colorado School of Mines over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Net price $28,690 vs $29,689.

Key Metrics at a Glance

Graduation Rate

81%
Colorado Mines
vs
79%
Saint Joseph's

Earnings (10yr)

$97,335
Colorado Mines
vs
$86,881
Saint Joseph's

Avg Net Price

$28,690
Colorado Mines
vs
$29,689
Saint Joseph's

Median Debt

$23,000
Colorado Mines
vs
$25,500
Saint Joseph's

The Analysis

Verdict

Colorado School of Mines and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,412 to 1,258.

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 $999 a year below Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689. Graduates of Colorado School of Mines also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $25,500.

So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $3,996 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 $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. That is a 12% 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 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.

Recommendation

Bottom line: pick Colorado School of Mines to keep costs and debt down.

Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.

Counterintuitive Insights

!

Their academic identities diverge. Colorado School of Mines concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Colorado Mines Not for everyone
  • Business and consulting-track students: Colorado School of Mines has less business program depth, and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
Saint Joseph's Not for everyone
  • STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.

Full Data Breakdown

Overview
5 metrics
Public
Type
Private nonprofit
Suburban
Setting
Urban
Rocky Mountains
Region
Mid-Atlantic
6,155
Enrollment
4,948
No
HBCU
No
Admissions
4 metrics
61%
Acceptance Rate
89%
1412
SAT Average
1258
31
ACT Midpoint
28
1320-1480
SAT Range
1170-1350
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set)
1 metrics
Not offered
Early Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
9 metrics
$21,914
In-State Tuition
$53,260
$45,824
Out-of-State Tuition
$53,260
$28,690
Average Net Price
$29,689
$16,849
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$22,570
$18,162
Net Price ($30-48K)
$23,022
$22,192
Net Price ($48-75K)
$24,297
$35,112
Net Price ($110K+)
$33,222
14%
Pell Grant Rate
20%
32%
Federal Loan Rate
56%
Academics
5 metrics
81%
Graduation Rate
79%
93%
Retention Rate
89%
73%
Full-Time Faculty
100%
$14,000
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$11,284
15%
First-Gen Students
18%
Student Body
6 metrics
28%
Female
59%
68%
White
68%
14%
Hispanic
9%
1%
Black
7%
6%
Asian
9%
0.52
Diversity Index
0.51
Outcomes
6 metrics
$82,950
Earnings (6yr)
$66,438
$90,777
Earnings (8yr)
$76,633
$97,335
Earnings (10yr)
$86,881
$23,000
Median Debt
$25,500
0.24x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.29x
90%
Earning Above HS Grad
85%
Social Mobility (Chetty)
4 metrics
2.49%
Mobility Rate
64.0%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
3.9%
From Bottom 20%
$151,489
Parent Median Income (today's $)
Social Capital
3 metrics
1.78
Economic Connectedness
-0.02
Friending Bias
4.3%
Volunteering Rate
Research (Times HE)
4 metrics
#201-225
World Rank
24.6
Teaching Score
22.8
Research Score
63.7
Citations Score
Online Education (IPEDS)
2 metrics
4.2%
% Exclusively Online
21.9%
23.0%
% Any Online
53.0%

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.

Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit

89% accept 79% grad $86,881 earnings $29,689 net

With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.

Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.

In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.

Rankings They Appear On

Colorado School of Mines is featured on the Best Colleges in Colorado ranking.

Explore all rankings →

Top Degree Programs

Colorado Mines's top program is Mechanical Engineering (74% of enrollment), while Saint Joseph's leads with Business Administration (39%).

Career Pathways

Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's).

The two schools feed different job markets. Colorado School of Mines is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?

Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into, admitting 61% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.

Which is more affordable, Colorado School of Mines or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?

Colorado School of Mines is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,690 after aid versus $29,689 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.

Do Colorado School of Mines or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more?

Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.

Which has a better graduation rate, Colorado School of Mines or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?

Colorado School of Mines has the higher graduation rate, 81% versus 79%.

Should you choose Colorado School of Mines or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?

It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colorado School of Mines if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.

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How do Colorado Mines and Saint Joseph's 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.

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