Golden, CO · Private University
Is Colorado School of Mines Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$97,335
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$21,186
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$44,376
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$177,504
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.19x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
79.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,240
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $52,335 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Colorado School of Mines ranked by graduate earnings
83 graduates
18 graduates
60 graduates
67 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Colorado School of Mines
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Colorado School of Mines, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $110,684) and the lowest (Geological/Geophysical Engineering: $72,556) is $38,128/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $110,684 | 2.5x |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $104,994 | 2.4x |
| Petroleum Engineering | $101,481 | 2.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $93,671 | 2.1x |
| Engineering Physics | $87,900 | 2.0x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $87,437 | 2.0x |
| Metallurgical Engineering | $84,905 | 1.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,162 | 1.9x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,472 | 1.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $79,720 | 1.8x |
| Applied Mathematics | $76,575 | 1.7x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $75,799 | 1.7x |
| Geological/Geophysical EngineeringLowest | $72,556 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines | 2.19x | $97,335 | Strong ROI |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | 2.91x | $76,489 | Strong ROI |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | 2.62x | $82,957 | Strong ROI |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 2.35x | $84,276 | Strong ROI |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 2.35x | $81,054 | Strong ROI |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 2.23x | $81,698 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Colorado School of Mines stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $97,335 10 years after starting — $52,335 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.