Your path to Colorado School of Mines starts at Pikes Peak State College!
Mines Academy at PPSC is a partnership between Pikes Peak State College and Colorado School of Mines that gives engineering students a clear, affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree. Through the program, eligible students are guaranteed admission to Colorado School of Mines when they meet the required GPA, coursework, and transfer admission requirements.
You'll start by building a strong foundation in engineering at PPSC, with opportunities to connect with the Mines community before you transfer. Along the way, you can work toward an Associate of Engineering Science (AES) degree while preparing for the next step in your education.
Want to learn more about becoming a Mines student? Explore Colorado School of Mines transfer admissions.
Get to know Mines before you transfer! Attend campus events, explore student resources, and connect with a Mines Transfer Admissions Coordinator who can help you understand your requirements and plan your next steps. Mines Academy students can also attend regular-season home sporting events at Mines for free with an All-Sports Pass.
Start your engineering education at PPSC and save more than $28,000 in tuition* over your first two years compared to attending Colorado School of Mines. You'll complete foundational coursework at community college tuition rates while preparing to transfer and pursue your bachelor's degree.
Work toward your Associate of Engineering Science (AES) degree at PPSC while completing courses designed to transfer to Mines. You'll build a strong foundation in math, science, and engineering that prepares you for upper-level coursework.
*Estimated savings based on 2026–27 Colorado resident tuition rates with the College Opportunity Fund, assuming 15 on-campus credits per semester for four semesters. Excludes fees, living expenses, and other educational costs. Actual savings vary.
Joining Mines Academy doesn't mean you're committing to Colorado School of Mines.
Whether you choose Mines or another university, you'll be building a foundation for
your engineering education.
While you're a PPSC student, you'll get the support you need to succeed while building
connections with other students who share your interest in engineering. Take advantage
of PPSC's academic advising, tutoring, and student resources as you work toward your
degree and prepare for what's next.
Mines Academy provides a guaranteed admission pathway to Colorado School of Mines for students who meet the program's academic and transfer requirements. Learn how to get started at PPSC, and how your work here will transfer to Mines.
Ready to start your engineering journey? Follow these steps to become part of Mines Academy.
New to Pikes Peak State College? Complete our free application to get started and become an active PPSC student. Choose an Associate of Engineering Science (AES) degree when you apply.
Already completed college coursework? Send your transcripts to PPSC so your credits
can be evaluated and applied toward your degree when eligible.
Learn about Transferring Credits to PPSC
Register for classes at PPSC and start building your engineering foundation. Work with an academic advisor to select courses that align with your AES degree and future transfer plans. Your advisor can also help make sure you're pursuing an Associate of Engineering Science (AES) degree at PPSC. This degree pathway helps prepare you for transferring into a bachelor's degree program at Colorado School of Mines.
Ready to join? Fill out the Mines Academy Interest Form below to express your interest
in the program and begin connecting with Mines Academy resources.
Complete the Mines Academy Interest Form
After you submit your interest form, PPSC will provide information about your next steps, including how to connect with Colorado School of Mines through the Mines Academy Student Portal.
Through the portal, you can track your progress, explore transfer resources, and prepare for your transition to Mines. You'll also have opportunities to connect with admissions staff and participate in Mines Academy events.
Meet the requirements & make your move!
To qualify for guaranteed admission, you must:
You don't have to figure it all out on your own. Mines Academy students can connect
with academic advisors at PPSC and a Mines Transfer Admissions Coordinator to review
coursework, understand transfer requirements, and prepare for the transition.
Explore Mines Transfer Requirements
Complete this interest form to get started with Mines Academy, and you'll hear back
soon!