Colorado School of Mines delivers exceptional return on investment, ranking at the 98.8th percentile nationally and among the highest we track for educational value creation. Graduates earn $27,988 beyond expectations relative to students with similar backgrounds at other institutions, placing the school at the 97.0th percentile for value-added earnings and representing among the highest we track nationally. Median earnings reach $97,335 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 98th percentile and significantly outperforming the peer median of $50,116 by $47,219 annually. Student debt remains manageable at $23,000, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 that indicates sustainable repayment capacity. The combination of exceptional earnings, controlled borrowing, and strong value creation positions Colorado School of Mines among the nation's top performers for return on educational investment, justifying higher upfront costs through superior long-term career outcomes.
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.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes at Colorado School of Mines show meaningful variation across programs while maintaining consistently strong performance. The gap between the 25th percentile ($69,672) and 75th percentile ($130,454) represents a 1.9:1 ratio, indicating more consistent outcomes than typical institutions due to the focused engineering and technology curriculum. Computer Science graduates lead with median earnings of $110,684, followed by Petroleum Engineering at $101,481, and Electrical Engineering at $93,671. Even lower-earning programs like Applied Mathematics produce graduates earning $76,575, well above national averages for similar fields. Earnings growth accelerates over the career trajectory, increasing by 17.3% between the six-year and ten-year measurement points. With cohort sizes exceeding 1,000 graduates at each measurement period, these figures reflect consistent institutional performance across multiple graduating classes rather than isolated high-performing years.
Financial justification for the investment.
Earnings distribution at Colorado School of Mines shows relatively consistent outcomes due to the focused engineering curriculum. The spread from $69,672 at the 25th percentile to $130,454 at the 75th percentile represents a 1.9:1 ratio, indicating less variation than typical institutions. Low-income graduates earn $95,000, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating exceptional mobility potential for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This concentrated distribution reflects the institution's specialized mission and consistent career outcomes across different engineering disciplines.
Approximately 26.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on medium confidence estimates derived from program mix analysis. This continuation rate indicates that Colorado School of Mines serves both workforce preparation and advanced education pathways, with most graduates entering careers directly while a significant minority pursues additional technical training.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Colorado School of Mines' strongest earning programs span multiple engineering disciplines, with Computer Science leading at $110,684 in median earnings. Petroleum Engineering follows at $101,481, reflecting strong industry demand despite smaller cohorts of 84 graduates. Electrical Engineering ($93,671), Engineering Physics ($87,900), and Bioengineering ($87,437) all exceed $85,000 in median outcomes. Even the institution's lowest-earning technical programs like Applied Mathematics ($76,575) and Environmental Engineering ($75,799) deliver above-average career returns. The concentration of high-earning programs across different engineering fields demonstrates Colorado School of Mines' comprehensive strength in technical education and industry connections that support exceptional career outcomes regardless of specific disciplinary focus. Mechanical Engineering, while earning $83,162, represents the largest program with 313 graduates, indicating the institution's ability to maintain quality outcomes at scale.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Earnings distribution at Colorado School of Mines shows relatively consistent outcomes due to the focused engineering curriculum. The spread from $69,672 at the 25th percentile to $130,454 at the 75th percentile represents a 1.9:1 ratio, indicating less variation than typical institutions. Low-income graduates earn $95,000, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating exceptional mobility potential for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This concentrated distribution reflects the institution's specialized mission and consistent career outcomes across different engineering disciplines.
