Colorado School of Mines ROI Analysis
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
above 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.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio. However, the high starting salaries suggest graduates are likely to have a favorable debt-to-income ratio.
The provided data does not allow for a precise break-even timeline calculation. However, given the high starting salaries and relatively low median debt, graduates likely reach a break-even point within a few years of graduation.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $100,434 | 1444% |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,472 | 1020% |
| Petroleum Engineering | $101,481 | 1469% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $93,671 | 1285% |
| Civil Engineering | $88,369 | 1160% |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering | $115,565 | 1801% |
| Metallurgical Engineering | $84,905 | 1078% |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $75,799 | 863% |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $85,687 | 1096% |
| Engineering Physics | $87,900 | 1148% |
| Applied Mathematics | $76,575 | 881% |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $105,401 | 1561% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.