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Computer Science at Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
86 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
87
Optimistic
86
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $86,268/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #62 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,320K $1,244K $877K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.6x 14.7x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.0x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 87 86 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$84,744
Out-of-state: $177,504 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,960
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$136,319
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $86,268/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

The 34% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

At $22,500 in median debt against $86,268 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #62 of 345 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $136,319 show a 58% jump from the $86,268 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colorado School of Mines

With a 60% acceptance rate, Colorado School of Mines is moderately selective, enrolling 5,801 students in Golden, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado School of Mines →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Colorado School of Mines

Mining and Mineral Engineering ($83,309) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,815) Metallurgical Engineering ($78,984) Petroleum Engineering ($77,400) Mechanical Engineering ($74,145) Engineering Physics ($72,858) Civil Engineering ($70,301) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($69,102)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Colorado School of Mines?
This program scores 86/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $876,604 in decade earnings vs $1,319,851 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colorado School of Mines's Computer Science program stand out?
Ranked #62 of 345 programs nationally, Colorado School of Mines lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →