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 195 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 23:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 51%.
Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 195 students
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
Minority enrollment: 52%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 18 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Colorado School of Trades
(CO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Special Focus Two-Year: Technical Professions
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Private, for profit
Total Faculty
18 staff
80 staff
Number of Programs Offered
1
46
Student Body
The student population of Colorado School of Trades has grown by 30% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has increased from 5:1 over five years.
The Colorado School of Trades diversity score of 0.72 is more than the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has grown by 15% over five years.
Total Enrollment
195 students
1,174 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
23:1
# Full-Time Students
195 students
712 students
# Part-Time Students
n/a
1,500 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
195 students
185 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
195 students
483 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
95 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
1,114 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
1 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
346 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
n/a
6%
% Hispanic
6%
25%
% Black
2%
6%
% White
48%
49%
% Hawaiian
21%
3%
% Two or more races
8%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
2%
% Unknown races
14%
4%
Diversity Score
0.72
0.69
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.7627%
0.636%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.2712%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$40,200
$33,300
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
46%
84%
Median Debt for Graduates
$20,000
$11,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
98%
98%
Source: 2024 (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.
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Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 195 students
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
Minority enrollment: 52%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
