by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study mining and mineral engineering, you’ve come to the right place. The list below highlights 9 schools that stand out for veteran mining and mineral engineering students, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Learn more about these veteran-friendly mining and mineral engineering colleges below:
No school served veteran mining and mineral engineering students better than Missouri University of Science and Technology this year. Missouri University of Science and Technology scores 91.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full mining and mineral engineering report for Missouri University of Science and Technology
Veteran students seeking a strong mining and mineral engineering program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, which ranked #2. It scores 88.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full mining and mineral engineering report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mining and mineral engineering colleges for veterans. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scores 86.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full mining and mineral engineering report for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
University of Kentucky is a great choice for veterans pursuing mining and mineral engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University of Kentucky scores 84.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. See the full mining and mineral engineering report for University of Kentucky
Colorado School of Mines is a great choice for veterans pursuing mining and mineral engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. The school's overall veterans score is 84.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
More about the mining and mineral engineering program at Colorado School of Mines
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University of Arizona landed the #6 spot for veterans pursuing mining and mineral engineering. The school's overall veterans score is 78.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full mining and mineral engineering report for University of Arizona
West Virginia University placed #7 among the best mining and mineral engineering colleges for veterans. It scores 75.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about mining and mineral engineering at West Virginia University
University of Utah placed #8 among the best mining and mineral engineering colleges for veterans. University of Utah scores 74.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the mining and mineral engineering program at University of Utah
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology placed #9 among the best mining and mineral engineering colleges for veterans. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology scores 59.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. See the full mining and mineral engineering report for New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying mining and mineral engineering: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
