Colorado School of Trades

  • 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 85 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the state community college average of 35:1.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 51%.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 85 students
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
  • Minority enrollment: 34%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 6 teachers has declined by 66% over five years.
Colorado School of Trades
(CO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Private, non-profit
Total Faculty
6 staff
56 staff
Number of Programs Offered
1
26

Student Body

The student population of Colorado School of Trades has declined by 61% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 has increased from 8:1 over five years.
The Colorado School of Trades diversity score of 0.54 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has declined by 11% over five years.
Total Enrollment
85 students
2,084 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
35:1
# Full-Time Students
85 students
671 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
141 students
434 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
85 students
641 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
2%
3%
% Hispanic
12%
26%
% Black
1%
8%
% White
66%
49%
% Hawaiian
6%
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Unknown races
9%
7%
Diversity Score
0.54
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
76%
61%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$40,200
$32,200

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
45%
82%
Median Debt for Graduates
$20,000
$10,981
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$5,000
Acceptance Rate
91%
90%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

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.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Kurt Martonik - Stockmaker at C Sharps Arms, graduated in September 2020. -
    • Titus - Started working at Rifle Dynamics after graduating from CST. -

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of Colorado School of Trades?
The acceptance rate of Colorado School of Trades is 91%, which is higher than the state average of 90%.
Who are famous alumni from Colorado School of Trades?
Colorado School of Trades famous alumni include: Kurt Martonik - Stockmaker at C Sharps Arms, graduated in September 2020. and Titus - Started working at Rifle Dynamics after graduating from CST..
In what neighborhood is Colorado School of Trades located?
Colorado School of Trades is located in the Kendrick Lake neighborhood of Lakewood, CO.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 85 students
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
  • Minority enrollment: 34%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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