Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median540 grads tracked
Engineering at Colorado School of Mines
Ranked 27th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$98,897
middle 50%: $72,928 – $134,973
Median · 5 years out
$136,731
middle 50%: $107,301 – $186,259
Median · 10 years out
$171,069
middle 50%: $134,564 – $235,821
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Engineering research doctorates command a $99k median salary in year one. By year ten, median earnings reach $171k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
3.1 yrs
≈ $3,284 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Houston
$139,316 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$137,740 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$137,677 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$137,159 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$136,735 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$136,278 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$134,161 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$133,770 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$133,569 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Colorado School of Mines
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$152,398 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Master's)
$128,151 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$126,300 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$126,300 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$125,817 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$120,072 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$117,947 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Master's)
$115,506 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,100 · 5 yrs out
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,328 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,609 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$108,135 · 5 yrs out
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