GOLDEN, Colo., January 15, 2026 -- Colorado School of Mines is launching a new bachelor’s degree in quantum systems engineering, creating the first baccalaureate degree of its kind in the U.S and a critical bridge for building the workforce needed to transform quantum breakthroughs into real-world technologies.

More than half of today’s quantum jobs require a bachelor’s degree or less, but almost all quantum education and training programs in the U.S. are at the master’s and PhD level. The Bachelor of Science in Quantum Systems Engineering at Mines fills an important gap in the educational pathway from K-12 through graduate study, at a time when quantum technologies are rapidly moving from research labs into practical applications in sensing, computing, communications, national security and advanced manufacturing.

“Colorado School of Mines has a proud history of leading the nation in quantum education, including launching one of the nation’s first quantum engineering master’s programs. Mines is now extending that leadership with the first undergraduate B.S. in Quantum Systems Engineering,” said Stefanie Tompkins, provost of Colorado School of Mines. “By working across disciplines, Mines has developed a systems-focused, industry-aligned program that reflects the nimbleness required to prepare engineers for deployable quantum technologies.”

Quantum companies currently employ about 3,000 people in Colorado. Elevate Quantum, a consortium of 120 organizations advancing quantum workforce development and commercialization in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, estimates that number will grow to 10,000 within the next decade.

"Colorado is leading the nation in quantum innovation, and that leadership depends on training people who can turn breakthrough science into deployable technologies. The new Bachelor of Science in Quantum Systems Engineering at Colorado School of Mines - the first undergraduate program of its kind in the country - fills a critical workforce gap by preparing students to design, integrate, and troubleshoot full quantum-enabled systems. By aligning education with industry needs and connecting students to hands-on learning through Elevate Quantum and the Quantum Commons, this program strengthens Colorado’s talent pipeline, supports good-paying jobs, and reinforces our state’s position as a global leader in the quantum economy,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

Designed with industry input, the Mines bachelor’s degree is tailored for students eager to lead in the next era of quantum technology, preparing undergraduates to move beyond theory to design, integrate, deploy and manage complete quantum-enabled systems. Coursework will integrate physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science and engineering design, giving students an interdisciplinary foundation to bridge theory and hardware with software and systems-level thinking skills essential for building and deploying real-world quantum technologies. Students will develop core competencies in physics, data analysis, laboratory methods, electronics and embedded systems, problem solving and computing – all essential skills across quantum job sectors.

Students will also complete a year-long, industry-sponsored capstone project, applying their skills to real-world quantum challenges. The program is strengthened by access to Quantum Commons, a collaborative hub being developed by Mines, Elevate Quantum and others in Arvada connecting academia, industry, startups and government, as well as one of the largest interdisciplinary quantum faculty teams in the U.S.

“With AI on our doorstep, quantum is the single most powerful lever we have to secure a thriving advanced-technology future. Today, there are roughly three open quantum jobs for every one qualified worker—making workforce readiness the critical bottleneck for the industry," said Zach Yerushalmi, CEO and Regional Innovation Officer for Elevate Quantum. “The Quantum Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree at Colorado School of Mines — the first of its kind in the U.S. — is built to meet that moment, combining hands-on engineering with deep industry partnership to produce graduates ready to have immediate, real-world impact across national security and nearly every major scientific and industrial domain.”