Undergraduate Viewbook
Take a Look
Scroll to explore the Mines digital viewbook or download the PDF version.
You can also pick up a printed version at the Admissions Office located in the Starzer Welcome Center on campus or when you see the Mines undergraduate recruitment team on the road.
The Elements to becoming an Oredigger
Click EACH element to learn more
Orediggers are hands-on learners who develop the technical expertise and specialized skills to thrive across a variety of engineering and applied science fields. Guided by renowned faculty and real-world projects, students turn ideas into reality.
Customize your degree: Many majors offer specialty tracks, giving you the option to focus on an area that matches your interests and career goals. Often mechanical engineering students pursue an Aerospace track. Explore all track and program options.
Other options include declaring an established minor or Area of Special Interest (ASI), or you can create your own interdisciplinary minor.
Combined Programs: Explore how to complete your bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years.
Best College in Colorado - Wall Street Journal, 2026
Mineral and Mining Engineering University - QS World University Rankings, 2026
Best Public University in Colorado - Niche, 2026
Public Universities - U.S. News & World Report and Niche, 2026
The Symbol of Your Next Step
Students at Colorado School of Mines will not only find themselves immersed in academics, they also become part of the story. Founded in 1874, Mines is Colorado’s premier engineering and applied science university. For more than 150 years, Mines traditions have helped define life on campus. College is recognized as one of the most valuable experiences in one’s life, offering not just academic benefits, but opportunities for personal growth, career advancement and social development. Each fall, students will partake in a number of events to kick off the semester. Receiving the Mines hard hat marks the beginning of the next chapter as an Oredigger.
MEET PCJ
President Paul C. Johnson, PhD
President Johnson, or better known on campus as ‘PCJ’, is the 17th president of Colorado School of Mines. He too is an engineer by trade, with chemical engineering degrees including his master’s and PhD from Princeton University. His unique, front-line leadership is one-of-a-kind and a standout difference from most. He and his wife, Elyse, are often at events and activities like Move-In Day and the annual M Climb.
PCJ is also known for his selfies with students, so if you run into him, feel free to say hi and give him a follow on social.
Brock Schelhaas
BS Mechanical Engineering – Aerospace Track
Combined Program Student
Daniels Fund Scholar
Watching a SpaceX Starship launch with friends last fall sparked a question for Brock Schelhaas and two classmates: What would it take to build a rocket engine themselves?
Months later, the answer was firing in front of them.
Using skills developed in the classroom and equipment available through the Labriola Innovation Hub, the mechanical engineering students designed and manufactured a bipropellant rocket engine from scratch. After months of testing and iteration, the team successfully completed a nine-second hot fire in May. Faculty members offered advice along the way, and one professor even supplied piping needed for the plumbing system.
“We were sitting in a room watching Starship launch and asking ourselves if we could do this,” Brock said. “A few months later, we had built an engine and successfully fired it.”
For Brock, experiences like that capture what makes Mines different. Hands-on learning started during his first semester in Design I and continued through mechanical design courses, internships and student-led engineering projects. He landed an internship with Moog Space and Defense after meeting recruiters at Career Day and worked on a manufacturing team supporting satellite production. The experience reinforced the value of the technical communication and problem-solving skills he developed at Mines.
When Brock was comparing colleges, he considered larger universities. But after visiting Mines, his decision was clear.
“You know your professors. You know your classmates. Everyone wants to be here and everyone wants to build something,” Brock said. “That makes Mines a really special place.”
Watch the liquid rocket hot fire test video on YouTube. The group named the rocket Tetelestai, meaning “it is finished.”
Preparing to Apply
Each academic year we welcome new first-year Orediggers that exude intellectual curiosity, academic promise and a diverse range of interests and backgrounds. Explore our curriculum recommendations, application process, frequently-asked questions and more!
Get your admissions decision by December 15
Get your admissions decision by February 15
Requirements
of college-prep or advanced Math
trigonometry or pre-calculus at minimum
of laB science Courses
physics and chemistry at minimum
of english
Recommendations
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Advanced Mathematics
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Advanced Science
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Advance Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and/or Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Courses
Average accepted
student profile
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3.84 unweighted GPA
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31 average ACT composite score
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1372 average SAT composite score
*based on accepted students for the incoming class of 2026, test scores based on those who selected to submit
*You must also fulfill the required courses outlined by your high school to meet graduation requirements.
Mines By the Numbers
student-to-faculty ratio
incoming first-year students
incoming transfer students
Countries represented on campus
states represented on campus
Division II varsity sports
square feet of makerspaces
Student clubs and organizations
Cost of Attendance
Mines offers a variety of financial aid options to help students manage the cost of attendance. At Mines, 91 percent of students receive some form of financial assistance to help invest in their education.
Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state and school financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at StudentAid.gov using Mines school code 001348. Students who do not meet the criteria for FAFSA can complete the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA).
FASFA Opens
OCTOBER 1
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OPENS
DECEMBER
FINANCIAL AID PRIORITY DEADLINE
Complete the FASFA or CASFA and General Scholarship Application
MARCH 1
Public Universities in the Nation for 40-Year Return on Investment
Georgetown, 2025
Best Value Colleges in America and Best Colleges for Engineering
Niche, 2025
Average undergraduate starting salary after graduation
Mines Annual Career Report
MAE OLING
BS Engineering Physics
Society of Physics Students
President, Society of Women Engineers
Mae came to Colorado School of Mines for the same reason she has stayed: the support.
An engineering physics major from Longmont, Colorado, Mae first visited Mines as a prospective student through SWE Shadow Day, a program hosted by the Society of Women Engineers. She shadowed a junior engineering physics student, asked every question she could think of and left with a clear feeling.
“I knew I would be supported here,” Mae said.
Now, she is helping create that same experience for others. As president of SWE, Mae leads a 24-person officer board focused on supporting women on campus, in the community and in engineering. The role has helped her build leadership skills, including the chance to attend the national SWE conference with thousands of engineers from across the country.
The support Mae found at Mines mattered. She is preparing for graduate school in medical physics, with the goal of working in radiation oncology. It is a focused path, and she said Mines faculty have helped her find connections in a niche field.
Her hands-on experience started early. In one project, Mae helped design, build and program a sign language translation glove in under 40 hours. Using sensors, the glove recognized different signs and displayed the translation on a screen.
She is also working in a research lab on campus, gaining experience with an ultrafast femtosecond laser and learning from faculty and graduate students. Those moments, she said, are where Mines stands out.
“Everything at Mines is so hands on,” Mae said.
For students wondering whether they will fit in, Mae has a clear answer. Mines is challenging, but it is not cutthroat. Students work together, trade ideas and help each other get through hard classes. “Everyone wants everyone to succeed,” she said.
Campus Life
While Colorado School of Mines is the Premier Engineering and Applied Science University in Colorado, that doesn’t mean you are going to miss out on the rest of the college experience. From your first week at Mines to the day you graduate from Mines, you get to work hard and play even harder!
OREDIGGER CAMP
A summer camp experience with a Mines twist, Oredigger Camp has become a new-student favorite. Head into the mountains for campfires, engineering challenges and intense gaga ball showdowns. It is all about building friendships, confidence and a strong sense of community during Helluva Welcome Week.
M Climb
Be part of a century-old tradition! New Orediggers hike up Mt. Zion with a 10-pound rock from their hometown. You’ll be cheered on by student organizations, sing the fight song and give the hillside ‘M’ a fresh coat of paint. It’s lively, spirited and one of the most unforgettable traditions at Mines.
E-Days
E-Days is Mines’ spring celebration of engineering and community. The highlight is the cardboard boat race, where students test their designs in the cold waters of Clear Creek. With concerts, fireworks and hands-on challenges, it’s a weekend that captures the spirit and creativity of Orediggers.
Research
With R1 status and more than 300 active research faculty working alongside students on game-changing projects in energy, robotics, space and more, undergraduates can often get involved in their first year. You can even showcase your work at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Maker Space
Mines offers 35,000+ square feet of makerspaces on campus, with access to tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters and woodworking equipment. These spaces give students the freedom to test ideas, build real solutions and develop the hands-on skills that will set them apart in the workforce.
Career Days
Each semester, Career Days brings hundreds of employers to campus, and ~1,300 organizations recruit and hire Orediggers each year. The Career Center helps you prep your resume, practice interviews and find internships or full-time jobs.
CAMPUS RECREATION
With 150,000 square feet of space, the Student Recreation Center is your go-to spot for fitness and fun. Climb the rock wall, join an intramural team, hit the gym or gear up for outdoor adventures across Colorado. From esports to yoga, there’s something for everyone.
Clubs and Organizations
With more than 200 student organizations, you can build an F1 car, join a cultural or professional organization, compete in robotics or get involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life. Want more? Study abroad programs, like the First-Year Semester Abroad in France, let you explore the world while staying on track for graduation. However you get involved, you’ll find your people here.
Athletics
With 18 Division II varsity sports, from football and basketball to soccer and swimming, athletics brings the campus community together. At the center of it all is Blaster, our mascot. Games are a chance to connect with classmates while wearing your Mines gear and singing the fight song. #HelluvaEngineer
Honors
Join a community of more than 1,200 students across ten honors programs at Mines. The First-Year Honors experience offers two pathways: Thorson, with a humanities and ethics focus, or Grandey, with an emphasis on leadership and systems thinking. Both programs offer small class sizes, creative projects and a community of students that live together in a signature learning community within residence life.
The End Goal: Graduation
Commencement at Mines honors the hard work behind every degree. Students receive a silver-plated diploma and can choose to wear a distinctive Mines hat or traditional mortar board for graduation. Both are symbols of Oredigger pride and traditions that mark the start of what comes next. And don’t forget about ringing the bell located outside Guggenheim Hall.
Living on Campus
Living on campus means being part of a community from day one and just steps from your classes, campus dining, activities and support services. Mines has a two-year live-on requirement, setting students up for success. You’ll gain life skills, build strong support networks and be part of an active campus community.
You’ll also find the Student Wellness Center which offers health, counseling services, along with wellness programs to support your mental health, nutrition and sleep. So you stay balanced and ready for what’s next while on your college journey.
Signature Learning Communities
Signature Learning Communities (SLCs) give students the opportunity to live with others who share something in common. This can be academically focused or based on an affinity or passion area. Whether you are interested in wellness, the arts or leadership, you can live and learn with like-minded Orediggers who are just as engaged as you are. These communities make it easier to get involved, build friendships and feel at home at Mines, starting with day one.
Let’s Eat
Dining on Campus
You’ll always have access to fresh food, quick bites and your go-to coffee order without having to leave campus. Mines Market is the main dining hall, featuring nine distinctive stations. Options for vegetarian, vegan and allergen-free diets are always available. Your meal plan also includes Munch Money, which you can use just like cash at different locations around campus, like Einstein Bros. Bagels, Qdoba and Starbucks.
Your New Home
Welcome to Colorado
Colorado is home to 58 fourteeners, four national parks, 42 state parks and numerous trails. Whether you’re camping, hitting the slopes or just catching a sunset, the outdoors are always within reach. And when you’re craving local food, arts, music, or a pro game, Denver is just 15 miles away with museums, concerts, theaters and major league sports year-round.
Location Golden
Golden is a walkable town with a small-town vibe and Rocky Mountain views. Three blocks from campus, downtown is filled with restaurants, coffee shops, galleries and local favorites. Golden delivers four true seasons and 300 days of sunshine per year. And don’t forget to explore Red Rocks Amphitheatre, one of the most iconic outdoor venues in the world, just minutes away.
Destination Mines
At Mines, 8,204 total students, 6,339 of whom are undergrads, make up a close-knit, high-achieving community. Students tackle rigorous academics through hands-on learning, internships and research opportunities. They work with top companies and organizations shaping the future of energy, technology and infrastructure. It’s a campus built for collaboration, discovery and real-world impact.
Getting Around Town
Ore Cart Shuttle
Operated as a partnership between Mines and the City of Golden, the Ore Cart Shuttle is free for all riders and connects the Mines campus with downtown Golden and more.
Bike, Blade, Board
Golden has been named a Bicycle Friendly Community for its infrastructure for bicyclists. You’ll find bike lanes to get around and even mountain trails and races for the avid biker.
RTD Light Rail
Mines students get a free RTD College Pass with unlimited bus and light rail rides, including to and from Denver International Airport via the A Line with connections to Golden.
VISIT CAMPUS
On campus, virtually or in your area, we want you to get to know Mines.
EXPLORE. STAY. VISIT.
Access the online Visitor’s Guide for local discounts, recommendations on things to do, accommodations, parking and more.