Head-to-Head Comparison
Colorado School of Mines vs The University of Texas at Austin
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 7
- Texas Austin Wins
- 29
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, The University of Texas at Austin offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $19,857 vs Colorado School of Mines's $28,690, The University of Texas at Austin delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, The University of Texas at Austin's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 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, 30% more than The University of Texas at Austin
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Texas Austin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $19,857, roughly $8,833 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 27% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #29
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colorado Mines graduates concentrate in Engineering (74% of degrees); Texas Austin in Engineering (10%). 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 The University of Texas at Austin. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $75,121.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Colorado School of Mines. Net price $19,857 vs $28,690.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Colorado School of Mines. THE World Rank #29 vs #201-225.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over The University of Texas at Austin. 2.5% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Colorado School of Mines. 88% 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 The University of Texas at Austin are close on paper, but The University of Texas at Austin 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
The University of Texas at Austin is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while Colorado School of Mines takes 61%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,412 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, The University of Texas at Austin 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, The University of Texas at Austin comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $19,857, about $8,833 a year below Colorado School of Mines's $28,690. Graduates of The University of Texas at Austin also borrow less: median debt of $20,500, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $35,332 before any change in aid. Choosing The University of Texas at Austin 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 $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. That is a 30% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colorado School of Mines has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 30% 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
The University of Texas at Austin graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 81%. 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
Colorado School of Mines does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.5%; at The University of Texas at Austin, it is 2.2%. The University of Texas at Austin also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 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, The University of Texas at Austin sits higher, at #29 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 The University of Texas at Austin 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. The University of Texas at Austin saves about $8,833 a year, yet Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $22,214 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
The University of Texas at Austin is harder to get into, with a 27% 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.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. The University of Texas at Austin ranks higher globally (#29 vs #201-225), but Colorado School of Mines alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Colorado School of Mines concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while The University of Texas at Austin leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,690 runs well above The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment of 42,855 far exceeds Colorado School of Mines's 6,155.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Texas Austin 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) 2 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.
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 42,000 students who are drawn to its strong programs in fields like Biology, Engineering, Business, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it’s a competitive environment that suits those ready to engage deeply in their studies and campus life. The vibrant city of Austin enhances this experience, offering a unique blend of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that appeal to students looking for both academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median salary of around $75,121 ten years post-degree. This financial outcome reflects the value of the education received here and the demand for graduates in the job market. The affordability factor is significant as well; even with a net price of $19,857, many students find support through financial aid, helping to ease the transition into the workforce.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending UT Austin, students typically graduate with a median debt of $20,500. This manageable debt level, combined with the strong earning potential, makes the financial landscape here more accessible. Students who tend to thrive at UT Austin are those who embrace the challenges and opportunities of a large public university, taking advantage of the resources available while actively participating in the diverse and dynamic community.
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 74% of Colorado Mines's student body and 10% of Texas Austin's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Texas Austin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colorado School of Mines is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while The University of Texas at Austin concentrates in Business & Marketing, Communications. 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 The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 61% at Colorado School of Mines.
Which is more affordable, Colorado School of Mines or The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin is more affordable, with an average net price of $19,857 after aid versus $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines.
Do Colorado School of Mines or The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colorado School of Mines or The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 81%.
Colorado School of Mines vs The University of Texas at Austin: 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 2.2%.
Should you choose Colorado School of Mines or The University of Texas at Austin?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose The University of Texas at Austin 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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