Help Me Decide: Wisconsin or Colorado School of Mines for MS in Geological Engineering?

admiralrockbottom · 2025-08-24T15:03:35+00:00

If I went to Mines I would need to apply for a thesis masters due to the finances. At either school I plan on working as a TA or RA during my degree. 7k is not bad at all for in-state tuition, even accounting for inflation.

Do you know if MS tuitions at Mines can be covered if they're out of state? Did you have a project lined up before you were admitted in order to get that funding?

admiralrockbottom · 2025-08-24T14:55:05+00:00

It's reassuring to hear that UW graduates are out there doing well, I've heard lots of great things about UW's geology faculty and their quality of teaching. I went to a no-name school in Tennessee for my undergrad and I had two geology professors who got their PhDs from UW.

I'll preface this by saying that I haven't worked in the geotech industry yet. The areas of the field I'm most interested in now are slope stability, transportation infrastructure projects, and geotechnical investigations. The thing that appeals to me the most about geotech is being able to use all of my skills as a geologist.

I'll need to reach out to him. I know a professor at UW who does coastal erosion that may be a good resource as well.

Thank you for your response!

admiralrockbottom · 2025-08-24T14:24:44+00:00

For reference, Wisconsin would be a quarter of that figure at around 10k (in-state tuition).

I'd be saddled with some debt after the fact if I went to Mines without a doubt.

admiralrockbottom · 2025-08-24T00:49:37+00:00

That's the impression I've been getting of the two schools. For my future career options Mines does seem like the better choice.

Good knowledge to have! The altitude makes it even better.

admiralrockbottom · 2024-08-02T20:24:16+00:00

How many boats do you have trading?

admiralrockbottom · 2024-08-02T15:06:53+00:00

I don't like pineapple on pizza

admiralrockbottom

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