Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $77,400 at Colorado School of Mines come in 21% above the national median of $64,106 for Petroleum Engineering programs.
The 10.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $77,400 far exceeding the $26,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #10 out of 18 programs, Colorado School of Mines's financial outcomes for Petroleum Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $77,400 to $105,804 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.