Colorado School of Mines
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$84,744
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$47,950/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
1.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
1032%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Colorado School of Mines graduates earn a median of $76,390, which is significantly higher than the in-state tuition cost of $21,186. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $82,950, and after ten years, graduates earn $97,335. The median debt for graduates is $23,000, and 33.6% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt of $23,000 and the first-year earnings of $76,390, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.3. This indicates a relatively low debt burden compared to the initial earnings potential.
Based on the tuition cost and first-year earnings, the break-even point is less than one year. The high starting salaries suggest a strong return on investment for graduates of Colorado School of Mines.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$21,186
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$82,950
Graduation Rate
81%
Receive Financial Aid
34%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. | $84,744 | $83,162 | 1037% |
| Chemical Engineering. | $84,744 | $82,472 | 1020% |
| Petroleum Engineering. | $84,744 | $101,481 | 1469% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $84,744 | $93,671 | 1285% |
| Civil Engineering. | $84,744 | $79,720 | 955% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $84,744 | $100,434 | 1444% |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering. | $84,744 | $72,556 | 786% |
| Engineering Physics. | $84,744 | $87,900 | 1148% |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. | $84,744 | $75,799 | 863% |
| Metallurgical Engineering. | $84,744 | $84,905 | 1078% |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | $84,744 | $85,687 | 1096% |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | $84,744 | $87,437 | 1138% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.