by our College Data Analytics TeamThis major allows you to study minerals like coal, metals, and diamonds and how to remove them from the earth safely and in an environmentally friendly way. As a mining engineer you get to help plan and design mines as well as manage them. This program will teach you the science behind mining and minerals. You will also learn about mineral processing and refining methods. Mining engineers usually specialize in one mineral or metal, so you get a broad education and then choose one subject that interests you the most.
Some courses that you may take could include: calculus, geology, chemistry, surveying, physics, soil and rock mechanics, mining, mineral extraction, mineral processing, metallurgy, and engineering.
A degree in Mining Engineering covers Mining And Mineral Engineering. Read on to learn the important information every mining engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mining engineering programs.
In the U.S., mining engineering draws strong interest, with 285 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mining Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mining engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mining engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Mining Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mining engineering graduates commonly enter.
As a Mining Engineer you may have to make decisions that will affect profits, but more importantly the lives of miners and workers. At school you will learn how to anticipate problems and ways to immediately deal with crucial problems.
You will be using math and science to solve and analyze problem sets. These problems will not be easy, but with persistence and help from your peers and professors you will be able to solve them. Team work is important in this field. College is a great time to refine your communication skills to prepare you for your professional work.
Your professor will expect you to be able to think logically. You should be able to plan mine operations and mineral processing in a logical sequence which will help prepare you for the real world. Writing is also very important to a mining engineer. Your writing needs to be clear and concise so that others able to understand your plans.
Skills emphasized by a mining engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a mining engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mining engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 151 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 110 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 24 |
People currently working in careers related to mining engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 36.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 11.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in mining engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Mining Engineers find work in several different fields. You could work with geologists and metallurgic engineers to find new mineral deposits. Others are interested in developing new equipment or processing operations.
A degree in mining engineering can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to mining engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mining engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 259,417 | 6.2% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of mining engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $83,507 |
| 4 years | $91,559 |
| 5 years | $100,389 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for mining engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mining engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $138,303 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
With 14 different mining engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mining engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in mining engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | 285 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
