Colorado School of Trades

The school offers one degree: an Associate of Occupational Studies in Gunsmithing, delivered through an 18-month, continuous academic year (no summer breaks). With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, instruction is hands-on and intensive, covering firearm design, repair, customization, and machining. Alumni praise the program’s practicality—Reddit threads call it the oldest gunsmithing school in the U.S., with graduates noting its strong industry connections. There are no gen-ed distractions here; every class ties directly to the trade. The program’s YouTube videos showcase workshops filled with lathes, milling machines, and benches—more akin to an artisan’s studio than a lecture hall.

With just 108 undergraduates, the campus vibe is tight-knit and no-nonsense. Located in suburban Lakewood, students describe a workmanlike atmosphere—think toolbelts, not tailgates. Niche reviews hint at minimal traditional campus amenities; social life likely revolves around shared projects and local gun ranges rather than dorm parties (housing isn’t mentioned). Weekend guides suggest off-campus hiking and Denver’s music scene as diversions. This isn’t a place for Greek life or Division sports; the ‘extracurricular’ is mastering a trade.

Graduates report median earnings of $36,427 one year out, though some sources suggest this climbs to $51,591 within a decade. Debt averages $20,000—relatively low for postsecondary education, but significant given the modest starting salaries. The school doesn’t publish formal job-placement rates, but its niche reputation (and lack of competition in gunsmithing programs) likely aids employment. Colorado’s $53K average trade salary contextualizes earnings potential, though gunsmithing may lag behind higher-demand trades like welding or HVAC.

Total annual cost runs $26,083 (tuition, fees, living expenses), though scholarships and grants drop the average net price to $21,446. Aid packages average $5,332, with need-based grants around $3,314 for on-campus students. The school offers a net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator, signaling transparency about costs. While cheaper than a four-year degree, the price tag requires weighing against gunsmithing’s earning potential—this isn’t a path to quick riches, but a vocational investment.

Colorado School of Trades is the antithesis of a liberal arts college—a single-building trade school where students spend 40+ hours a week mastering firearms craftsmanship. Its oldest-in-the-nation gunsmithing program attracts purists who’d rather bed a rifle barrel than write a thesis. The suburban Denver location offers access to outdoor recreation and a robust firearms industry, while the lack of selectivity ensures anyone committed to the trade can enroll. For those certain about a career in gunsmithing, it’s the closest thing to an apprenticeship in academia. Just don’t expect climbing walls or study-abroad programs.