Colorado School of Mines combines specialized engineering and technology programs with exceptional post-graduation outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces earnings $27,988 beyond expectations while maintaining focused technical curricula that consistently rank among the nation's best in multiple engineering disciplines.
With among the highest we track tier status, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher net costs relative to peer institutions
With modestly below average performance, indicating lower enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to public institution peers
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to generate strong earnings outcomes for students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisColorado School of Mines delivers exceptional earnings outcomes that significantly exceed expectations based on student demographics and program mix. Graduates earn a median of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally and among the highest we track.
Earnings range from $69,672 at the 25th percentile to $130,454 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the institution's focus on high-return engineering and technology disciplines. The institution generates $27,988 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 97.0th percentile nationally on this critical measure and representing among the highest we track for earnings uplift.
Students seeking high-return engineering and technology degrees with strong post-graduation earnings potential. Well-suited for academically competitive students who can handle rigorous STEM coursework and want specialized technical training that translates into above-average career outcomes.
Colorado School of Mines' Selective Achievers profile reflects exceptional earnings performance with moderate accessibility.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Colorado School Of Mines hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/colorado-school-of-mines/analysis.
Top 2% nationally for earnings outcomes
Colorado School of Mines ranks #153 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with return performance at the 98.8th percentile and among the highest we track. Located in Golden, Colorado, this medium-sized public institution maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 59.7% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes in engineering and technology fields.
Colorado School of Mines enrolls 13.3% Pell-eligible students and 15.4% first-generation students, below typical public institution levels but consistent with its technical focus and selective academic profile. Graduates earn $27,988 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 97.0th percentile nationally and representing among the highest we track for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $97,335 ten years after enrollment, placing Colorado School of Mines in the 98th percentile for long-term earnings. This combination of selective technical programs, controlled access, and exceptional economic outcomes places Colorado School of Mines firmly within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver outstanding results while serving fewer low-income students relative to peers.
Colorado School of Mines admits approximately 59.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Colorado School of Mines in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that Colorado School of Mines maintains more selective standards than typical public institutions, admitting nearly 25 percentage points fewer applicants than similar schools. This level of selectivity reflects the institution's specialized engineering and technology focus, which naturally attracts academically prepared students and allows for more discriminating admission practices.
Students should approach Colorado School of Mines as a moderately competitive option that requires solid academic credentials but remains accessible to well-prepared applicants. The technical curriculum and rigorous academic environment contribute to admission standards that exceed typical public universities.
For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests the need for strong high school preparation in mathematics and sciences, though the 59.7% admission rate indicates that qualified applicants have reasonable chances of acceptance. Students should treat Colorado School of Mines as a match or slight reach school depending on their academic profile, and build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates for backup options.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Colorado School of Mines' published cost of attendance is $38,556 per year, consisting of $44,376 in out-of-state tuition (or $21,186 for Colorado residents), $16,820 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $29,240 after financial aid, representing savings of $9,316 from the sticker price.
This net price places Colorado School of Mines well above the peer median of $14,093, creating a $15,147 cost disadvantage compared to similar public institutions. The higher net costs reflect the specialized nature of engineering education and the institution's position as a technical specialty school rather than a comprehensive public university.
Colorado School of Mines' net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $19,231 for the lowest-income families to $33,931 for the highest earners. While financial aid provides meaningful support, particularly for lower-income students, the overall cost structure requires families to invest substantially more than typical public institutions.
Students should carefully evaluate whether the exceptional career outcomes justify the premium cost relative to other engineering programs. The institution's return on investment metrics suggest that despite higher upfront costs, graduates achieve earnings that support long-term financial success and debt repayment capacity.
Colorado School of Mines graduates demonstrate exceptional earning potential with steady growth over time. Median earnings rise from $82,950 six years after enrollment to $90,777 at eight years and $97,335 at ten years, representing 17.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of over 1,000 graduates at each measurement point, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $27,988 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Colorado School of Mines at the 97.0th percentile for earnings uplift and among the highest we track.
This represents one of the strongest value-added performances in the nation. Low-income graduates earn $95,000, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating that the institution delivers exceptional outcomes regardless of student background.
Earnings span from $69,672 at the 25th percentile to $130,454 at the 75th percentile, reflecting variation across engineering disciplines but consistently strong outcomes. Approximately 26.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the institution serves both workforce preparation and advanced education pathways.
Compared to peer institutions, Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $47,219 more annually, representing nearly double the peer median of $50,116.
Computer Science.
125 graduates
Mining and Mineral Engineering.
14 graduates
Petroleum Engineering.
84 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
77 graduates
Engineering Physics.
51 graduates
Colorado School of Mines offers 12 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, all focused on engineering, technology, and applied sciences. Engineering Physics ranks #1 nationally with 51 graduates earning $87,900 and achieving a perfect value score of 100.0.
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering also ranks #1 nationally, graduating 46 students with median earnings of $75,799. Metallurgical Engineering ranks #1 nationally as well, with 43 graduates earning $84,905.
Petroleum Engineering ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Colorado, producing 84 graduates with median earnings of $101,481. Computer Science ranks #62 nationally and #2 in Colorado, graduating 125 students with strong earnings of $110,684.
Mechanical Engineering represents the institution's largest program, graduating 313 students annually with median earnings of $83,162. The concentration of top-ranked programs reflects Colorado School of Mines' specialized focus and national leadership in engineering and applied sciences education.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kettering University Higher acceptance rate (19.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MI | 79% | $94,823 | Compare |
Suny Maritime College Higher acceptance rate (18.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 79% | $95,951 | Compare |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Same region with similar earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | CA | 30% | $90,768 | Compare |
California State University Maritime Academy Same region with nearly identical earnings; same institution type | CA | 99% | $94,784 | Compare |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Similar admission rate (1.3 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (12 point difference) with similar program focus | NY | 58% | $102,051 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Carolina A & T State University Similar quality tier (#158 ranked) | NC | 46% | $44,440 | #158 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Similar quality tier (#150 ranked) | NC | 90% | $48,160 | #150 | Compare |
Texas Woman's University Similar quality tier (#159 ranked) | TX | 95% | $56,544 | #159 | Compare |
Cuny York College Similar quality tier (#147 ranked) | NY | 59% | $56,945 | #147 | Compare |
Northeastern Illinois University Similar quality tier (#161 ranked) | IL | 70% | $52,234 | #161 | Compare |