Head-to-Head Comparison
Colorado School of Mines vs University of Maryland-College Park
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 7
- Tied
- 16
- Maryland-College Park Wins
- 29
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Maryland-College Park offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $15,678 vs Colorado School of Mines's $28,690, University of Maryland-College Park delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Maryland-College Park's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 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, 17% more than University of Maryland-College Park
Maryland-College Park
- Lower cost: Average net price of $15,678, roughly $13,012 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 45% 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); Maryland-College Park in Computer Science & IT (25%). 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 University of Maryland-College Park. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $82,860.
Pick University of Maryland-College Park over Colorado School of Mines. Net price $15,678 vs $28,690.
Pick University of Maryland-College Park over Colorado School of Mines. 89% 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 University of Maryland-College Park are close on paper, but University of Maryland-College Park 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
University of Maryland-College Park is the harder admit. It takes 45% of applicants, while Colorado School of Mines takes 61%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,412 to 1,473.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Maryland-College Park 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, University of Maryland-College Park comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $15,678, about $13,012 a year below Colorado School of Mines's $28,690. Graduates of University of Maryland-College Park also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $52,048 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Maryland-College Park 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 $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Maryland-College Park has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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
University of Maryland-College Park graduates a larger share of its students, 89% versus 81%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Maryland-College Park to keep costs and debt down; pick Colorado School of Mines for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Maryland-College Park saves about $13,012 a year, yet Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $14,475 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Colorado School of Mines concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Maryland-College Park leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. 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 University of Maryland-College Park's $15,678.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $19,000 at University of Maryland-College Park.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colorado School of Mines has less business program depth, and University of Maryland-College Park offers the stronger options.
- Engineering-focused students: Colorado School of Mines has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Maryland-College Park's enrollment of 30,760 far exceeds Colorado School of Mines's 6,155.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Maryland-College Park 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) 4 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.
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
With nearly 31,000 students, the University of Maryland-College Park is a vibrant choice for those interested in fields like Computer Science and IT, Business and Marketing, and Engineering. The school’s acceptance rate is 45%, meaning it’s competitive but still accessible for many. What stands out here is the impressive 89% graduation rate, indicating that students who enroll are likely to see their academic journeys through to completion.
After graduation, students can expect solid earnings, with a 10-year post-degree salary averaging $82,860. This figure is particularly important when considering the long-term return on investment for education. The affordability of the school plays a big role in this, as the net price after aid is around $15,678. This allows for a manageable financial situation, especially when considering that only 19% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting that many students are coming from a range of economic backgrounds.
In terms of financial outlook, graduates leave with a median debt of $19,000, which is quite reasonable compared to potential earnings. This balance is crucial for those who want to thrive after college without being weighed down by excessive debt. Students who tend to succeed here are often those who take advantage of internships and career services, engaging actively with the community and resources available to them. Overall, Maryland-College Park supports students through a solid combination of academic rigor and financial feasibility.
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 Maryland-College Park leads with Computer Science (25%).
Maryland-College Park
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 Maryland-College Park).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colorado School of Mines is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, Biology & Biomedical, while University of Maryland-College Park concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. 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 University of Maryland-College Park?
University of Maryland-College Park is harder to get into, admitting 45% of applicants compared with 61% at Colorado School of Mines.
Which is more affordable, Colorado School of Mines or University of Maryland-College Park?
University of Maryland-College Park is more affordable, with an average net price of $15,678 after aid versus $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines.
Do Colorado School of Mines or University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colorado School of Mines or University of Maryland-College Park?
University of Maryland-College Park has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 81%.
Should you choose Colorado School of Mines or University of Maryland-College Park?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Maryland-College Park 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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