Colorado School of Mines vs Pikes Peak State College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +315% | -130% |
| 10-year net gain | $388,409 | $-35,588 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $96,155 | $44,172 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $74,160 | $39,970 |
| Average net price | $28,690 | $6,007 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $9,000 |
| Break-even | 2.4 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 82% | 21% |
| Admission rate | 61% | — |
Colorado School of Mines
Strong return
+$388,409 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Pikes Peak State College
Poor return
$-35,588 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.