Mechanical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines mechanical engineering graduates earn $74,145 their first year—significantly above Colorado's median of $68,264 for the program and topping even flagship Boulder's $66,089. Among Colorado's seven engineering schools, Mines ranks second only to the CU Denver/Anschutz campus while charging comparable debt levels ($25,000 versus the state median of $25,592). Nationally, these graduates land in the 72nd percentile for earnings, performing well above the typical mechanical engineering program.

The debt picture looks manageable with a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn roughly three times their debt load in their first year. Four-year earnings climb to $83,162—a healthy 12% gain that suggests these graduates continue advancing in their careers. With a robust sample size of over 100 graduates, these numbers reflect consistent outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For parents evaluating Colorado engineering programs, Mines delivers stronger starting salaries than most competitors at similar debt levels. The 60% admission rate and 1403 average SAT indicate selectivity without being prohibitively competitive. If your child can handle the rigorous coursework—Mines has a demanding reputation—the return on investment appears solid from day one.