- 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)
- Enrollment: 96 students
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Student:teacher ratio: 5:1
- Minority enrollment: 57%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Colorado School of Trades ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Student Earnings
Completion Rates
School Overview
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
At least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Private, non-profit
Total Faculty
18 staff
80 staff

Number of Programs Offered
1
18
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 0.80 is more than the state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has grown by 14% over five years.
Total Enrollment
96 students
2,085 students

Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
14:1

# Full-Time Students
96 students
585 students

# Part-Time Students
n/a
1,500 students


# Enrollment Undergraduate
157 students
443 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
96 students
528 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%
22%

% Black
3%
5%

% White
43%
57%

% Hawaiian
3%
1%

% Two or more races
6%
4%

% Non Resident races
6%
2%

% Unknown races
29%
5%


Diversity Score
0.80
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%
62%

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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate of Colorado School of Trades?
The acceptance rate of Colorado School of Trades is 86%, which is higher than the state average of 62%.
What is Colorado School of Trades's ranking?
Colorado School of Trades ranks among the top 20% of community college in Colorado for: Diversity in US community colleges, Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation) and Highest completion rates.
Recent Articles

Microcredentials: Tailoring Learning Journeys in Robotics
Micro-credentials offer a unique opportunity for adult learners to tailor their learning journeys to their specific needs and career aspirations. In this article we explore micro-credentials in robotics.

How To Pay For A Community College Education
We look in-depth at how you can pay for a community college education.

April 07, 2023
Spring 2023: Top 10 Job FieldsThe job market is changing at warp speed. Find out which job fields are the most promising for community college graduates.