Colorado School of Mines vs Stanford

Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Colorado School of Mines, a public research university, specializes in engineering and applied sciences, boasting a 79% acceptance rate and a focus on undergraduate education. Stanford University, a private research university, offers a wide range of academic programs, including engineering, humanities, and social sciences, with a highly selective 5% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on research. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Colorado School of Mines	Stanford University
Overview
Location	Golden, Colorado	Stanford, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	98.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	56.9%	3.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125
SAT range	1310 - 1470	1470 - 1570
ACT range	29 - 33	34 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	53.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	31.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	12,022	55,471
Total number of admissions given out	6,838	2,190
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,449	1,757
Yield rate	21.2%	80.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,245 Out of state: $55,545	$78,898
Average net price	$26,179	$14,402
Tuition	In state: $17,160 Out of state: $38,460	$55,473
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,196 Meal plan: $6,520	Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $10,778	61.0% Average amount $56,211
Students receiving federal student loan	43.0% Average amount $5,292	5.0% Average amount $5,151
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $24,651	1.0% Average amount $17,186

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,487 Men 68.4% Women 31.6%	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	1,700 Men 69.1% Women 30.9%	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	43.6%	58.5%
International students	8.8%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,445	14,621
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado Texas California Washington Illinois	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Physical Science Mathematics and Statistics Engineering Technologies	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	5:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.2%	95.5%
Dropout rate	10.5%	1.7%
Transferred out	4.8%	0.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $94,022 Year 2: $77,213 Year 3: $99,390 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,458 Year 2: $78,971 Year 3: $97,622 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,719 Year 2: $77,966 Year 3: $94,221 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,308 Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $91,467 Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $119,159 Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $90,384 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,554 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $84,256 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,556 Year 2: $70,886 Year 3: $82,164 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,256 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $82,134 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,029 Year 2: $64,865 Year 3: $78,404 Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,721 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $77,926	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University?

Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is renowned for its focus on engineering and applied science, particularly in fields related to earth, energy, and the environment. Stanford University, while also strong in engineering and sciences, offers a much broader range of academic programs, including humanities, social sciences, business, law, and medicine.
How do the student bodies at Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University differ?

Mines has a smaller, more technically focused student body, primarily composed of students pursuing STEM degrees. Stanford has a larger and more diverse student body with students from a wider array of academic backgrounds and interests. Stanford also tends to have a higher percentage of international students.
What is the difference in selectivity between Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University?

Stanford University is significantly more selective than Colorado School of Mines. Stanford consistently ranks among the most selective universities in the world, while Mines, while still selective, has a higher acceptance rate.
How do the campus cultures compare between Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University?

Mines has a close-knit, collaborative campus culture with a strong emphasis on teamwork and practical application of knowledge. Stanford's campus culture is more diverse and entrepreneurial, with a greater emphasis on innovation, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Stanford also has a more prominent social scene.
What are the typical career paths for graduates of Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University?

Mines graduates typically pursue careers in engineering, resource extraction, energy, and related industries. Stanford graduates have a wider range of career options, including technology, finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, academia, and public service.
How do the research opportunities compare at Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University?

Both institutions offer significant research opportunities. Stanford has a larger research enterprise with a broader scope, spanning numerous disciplines. Mines' research is more focused on areas related to its core strengths in engineering, applied science, and resource management. Both offer undergraduate research opportunities.
What is the location like for Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University?

Mines is located in Golden, Colorado, a smaller city near the Rocky Mountains, offering easy access to outdoor activities. Stanford is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, providing unparalleled access to the technology industry and a vibrant urban environment.
How do the costs of attending Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University compare?

The cost of attendance at both institutions is high, but Stanford is generally more expensive than Colorado School of Mines. However, both universities offer financial aid packages to eligible students, which can significantly reduce the net cost of attendance. It's important to compare individual financial aid offers.
What are the strengths of Colorado School of Mines that might make it a better choice than Stanford for some students?

Mines is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about engineering and applied science, particularly in fields related to earth, energy, and the environment. Its smaller size and focused curriculum can provide a more personalized and hands-on learning experience. Its location also offers unparalleled access to outdoor recreation.
What are the strengths of Stanford University that might make it a better choice than Colorado School of Mines for some students?

Stanford is a great choice for students seeking a broader academic experience, a highly diverse student body, and unparalleled access to the technology industry and entrepreneurial opportunities. Its world-renowned faculty and extensive resources provide a stimulating and enriching learning environment.
Do Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University offer similar extracurricular activities?

While both offer a variety of extracurricular activities, the specific offerings differ. Mines has a strong focus on engineering-related clubs and outdoor activities. Stanford offers a wider range of clubs and organizations, reflecting the diverse interests of its student body, including arts, culture, politics, and entrepreneurship.
How do the alumni networks of Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University compare?

Both universities have strong and active alumni networks. Stanford's alumni network is larger and more globally dispersed, with a significant presence in the technology and business sectors. Mines' alumni network is more concentrated in engineering and resource-related industries, particularly in the western United States.

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