by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Mining & Mineral Engineering covers Mining And Mineral Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Mineral Extraction, Processing And Refining Systems, Including Open Pit And Shaft Mines, Prospecting And Site Analysis Equipment And Instruments, Environmental And Safety Systems, Mine Equipment And Facilities, Mineral Processing And Refining Methods And Systems, And Logistics And Communications Systems. Continue reading for the key facts every mining & mineral engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mining & mineral engineering programs.
In the U.S., mining & mineral engineering draws strong interest, with 285 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mining & Mineral Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mining & mineral engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mining & mineral engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Mining & Mineral Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mining & mineral engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a mining & mineral engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a mining & mineral engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mining & mineral 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 & mineral 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in mining & mineral engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying mining & mineral engineering opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to mining & mineral engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mining & mineral 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of mining & mineral engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 & mineral engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mining & mineral 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 & mineral engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mining & mineral engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
