WhatGradsMake
Master's+28% vs national median404 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Colorado School of Mines

Ranked 9th of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$80,037
middle 50%: $57,248 – $124,373
Median · 5 years out
$106,226
middle 50%: $76,908 – $176,480
Median · 10 years out
$150,019
middle 50%: $92,787 – $257,921

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (master's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Colorado School of Mines's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $80,037 one year after graduating, rising to $150,019 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 28% above the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 9th of 132 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
3.8 yrs
≈ $4,132 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$129,123 · 5 yrs out
Christopher Newport University
$121,802 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Clear Lake
$115,169 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$112,147 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
$111,686 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$110,788 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$105,799 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$103,464 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$101,795 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$100,394 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$99,192 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Hunter College
$98,392 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Colorado School of Mines

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$209,919 · 5 yrs out
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
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

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