<p>I need to choose between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Colorado School of Mines. I have just finished touring both schools and I liked them both. I got a slightly better feeling for Rensselaer about the people (I used to live in New England) but Golden is definitely better than Troy. My intended major is chemistry.</p>
<p>Cost for each?</p>
<p>$70,000 for 4 years at Rensselaer or $50,000 for 4 years at CSM.</p>
<p>CSM looks best for cost. Sit down with your parents and talk about what that price difference means for your family. Maybe it is no big deal for them. At my house, the CSM bumper sticker would already be on the car!</p>
<p>I’m paying for college, not my parents. Cost is only one of many factors here; I posted on this forum to learn about which school has a higher reputation, anything to beware of about one of the schools or something awesome about them, etc.</p>
<p>
In that case it is even MORE important to look at costs. That being said, this is an online forum. You post, people reply. You may not like the answers but that’s what happens. That being said, both are very good technical schools, and I’d rather be in Golden than Troy.</p>
<p>Both are great schools. RPI is larger and has a bigger research presence outside of geoscience, but Mines has an absolutely awesome industry reputation, especially in the West.</p>
<p>I’d give a huge location edge to Mines.</p>
<p>$50k is a great deal for four years at Mines. That includes room/board, right?</p>
<p>I love Colorado and the culture there, but only you can decide whether it’s a good fit. If I can answer any questions as a former CO resident, please PM me.</p>