Doctoral (Research)+18% vs national median228 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Colorado School of Mines
Ranked 7th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$88,374
middle 50%: $64,005 – $129,289
Median · 5 years out
$125,817
middle 50%: $92,501 – $177,457
Median · 10 years out
$165,855
middle 50%: $122,445 – $234,316
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Physical Sciences doctorate graduates earn a median $88k in year one. Salaries reach $166k after a decade.
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
3.4 yrs
≈ $3,661 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
$191,993 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$133,920 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$130,533 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$128,182 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$126,197 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$123,409 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$117,848 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$115,982 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$115,783 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$115,698 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$114,494 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Colorado School of Mines
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$152,398 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$136,731 · 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
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