WhatGradsMake
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

Graduates of Colorado School of Mines's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $98,897 one year after graduating, rising to $171,069 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 27th of 80 reporting programs.

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

Other majors at Colorado School of Mines

Related fields of study