Colorado School of Trades (CST) is the oldest and largest Gunsmithing School in the United States. The Colorado School of Trades has been teaching Gunsmithing since 1947. We prepare our students for an exciting career as a Gunsmith. Gunsmiths spend their workday repairing and building custom firearms, operating lathes and mills, and performing detailed wood shaping and finishing. Their machinists skills are on display every day.
School Highlights
Colorado School of Trades serves 96 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 5:1 is lower than the state community college average of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 43%.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
Enrollment: 96 students
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Student:teacher ratio: 5:1
Minority enrollment: 57%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The teacher population of 18 teachers has grown by 50% over five years.
Colorado School of Trades
(CO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
18 staff
80 staff
Number of Programs Offered
1
29
Student Body
The student population of Colorado School of Trades has declined by 38% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 5:1 has decreased from 8:1 over five years.
The Colorado School of Trades diversity score of 0.72 is more than the state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
96 students
2,187 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
14:1
# Full-Time Students
96 students
687 students
# Part-Time Students
n/a
1,500 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
157 students
443 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
96 students
585 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
97 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
952 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
1 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
346 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
8%
23%
% Black
3%
5%
% White
43%
57%
% Hawaiian
3%
1%
% Two or more races
6%
4%
% Non Resident races
6%
2%
% Unknown races
29%
4%
Diversity Score
0.72
0.62
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
77%
56%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
2.68%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$40,200
$33,300
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
46%
87%
Median Debt for Graduates
$20,000
$11,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
86%
83%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
Founded in 1947, the Colorado School of Trades (CST) has been a
gunsmith training destination since its inception. Our school
enjoys a worldwide reputation built on a nearly 70-year history and
a long list of successful graduates recognized by top Gunsmith
employers everywhere.The Colorado School of Trades has applied a
system based on hands-on, project-oriented training geared to train
individuals who wish to become artisan craftsmen. Our gunsmith
classes offer a personal approach to training that allows a
motivated student to enter the profession of Gunsmithing as an
entry level general Gunsmith.
The "smart grid" presents a myriad of opportunities for green collar jobs. Learn about the job prospects in the industry and how your local community college can provide you with the training to capitalize on this growing industry.
