Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public · Doctoral / R1 research university

SAT middle 50% (admitted students)

1320–1480

Median ~1400

Acceptance rate

61%

Enrollment

6,155

ACT middle 50%

29–33

Current admissions guidance for Mines

Colorado School of Mines is a public STEM-focused university in Golden with a reported 1320–1480 SAT middle-50% range in the federal College Scorecard snapshot. Engineering, computing, and applied science preparation are central to its review.

SAT/ACT policy

Mines is test-optional and says applicants receive equal admission and merit-scholarship consideration with or without SAT or ACT scores. Submitted scores are superscored.

Application deadlines

The priority application deadline is November 1. The regular application deadline is January 15.

How to use your SAT score

A score in the 1320–1480 range can reinforce readiness for a quantitatively demanding curriculum.
Applicants can omit scores without losing admission or merit-aid consideration.
Give special attention to advanced math and science coursework because the academic program is STEM intensive.

Admissions details checked July 17, 2026. Verify policies before applying: Mines first-year application and testing policy · Mines admissions requirements.

How Mines compares

The ~1400 SAT midpoint ranks #33 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #1 of 5 in CO.
Its 61% acceptance rate is more selective than 60% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
Reported section midpoints skew 20 points toward Math (710 Math vs 690 Reading and Writing).
Median earnings 10 years after entry ($97,335) are $34,269 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
Out-of-state students pay $23,910 more per year than in-state students ($45,824 vs $21,914).

National SAT rank

#33 of 197

SAT rank in CO

#1 of 5

More selective than

60% of ranked colleges

Earnings vs national median

+$34,269

What the numbers say about Mines

The reported middle 50% spans 160 points, from 1320 to 1480. A planning score near or above 1520 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
The reported section midpoints are 690 Reading and Writing and 710 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
The Scorecard snapshot reports a 61% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
Reported outcomes include a 82% completion rate and $97,335 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.

Understand a 1400 SAT score Plan for a 1500 Verify current admissions policy

Tuition and outcomes

Tuition (in-state)

$21,914

Tuition (out-of-state)

$45,824

Median earnings 10 years after entry

$97,335

4-year completion rate (150% time)

82%

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

How your SAT score lines up

The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1320 and 1480. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

1520 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
1480 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
1400 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
1320 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.

At or above 1480

Strong relative score

At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

1320–1470

Within the reported range

Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

Below 1320

Below the reported range

Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

Compare to other colleges →

Colleges with similar SAT scores

Ranked by proximity to Mines's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

College	Location	SAT middle 50%	Acceptance rate
The University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	1250–1510	27%
University of Georgia	Athens, GA	1270–1480	38%
Bryn Mawr College	Bryn Mawr, PA	1280–1510	29%
Union College	Schenectady, NY	1310–1480	44%
Ohio State University-Main Campus	Columbus, OH	1310–1480	61%
Bucknell University	Lewisburg, PA	1310–1470	29%

FAQs

What SAT score do I need for Mines?

Colorado School of Mines's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1320–1480, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1520 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

What is Mines's acceptance rate?

Colorado School of Mines's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 61%.

How much does it cost to attend Mines?

In-state tuition is approximately $21,914 and out-of-state is approximately $45,824. These figures exclude room, board, and fees.

Is Mines test-optional?

Mines is test-optional and says applicants receive equal admission and merit-scholarship consideration with or without SAT or ACT scores. Submitted scores are superscored.

When are Mines's application deadlines?

The priority application deadline is November 1. The regular application deadline is January 15.

Official site: www.mines.edu