Computer Scienceat Colorado School of Mines
Graduates earn $86,268/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,244K; scenarios range from $877K to $1,320K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Colorado School of Mines
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Colorado School of Mines's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How Colorado School of Mines stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Colorado School of Mines
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado School of Mines, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Colorado School of Mines
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.