Mining & Mineral Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best mining & mineral engineering schools.
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Choosing a Great Mining & Mineral Engineering School
The school you choose for mining & mineral engineering can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Mining & Mineral Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Mining & Mineral Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Mining & Mineral Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than University Of Arizona this year for mining & mineral engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 mining & mineral engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mining & mineral engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $86,924. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mining & mineral engineering from University Of Arizona
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best mining & mineral engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 mining & mineral engineering students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $83,309 early in their careers. Colorado School Of Mines graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full mining & mineral engineering program report for Colorado School Of Mines
Students looking for a strong mining & mineral engineering program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 mining & mineral engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $74,793 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,907 in student loans.
Get the full mining & mineral engineering details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Utah came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best mining & mineral engineering schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 13 mining & mineral engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mining & mineral engineering from University Of Utah
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mining & mineral engineering, ranking #5. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology awarded about 17 mining & mineral engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mining & mineral engineering from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #6 for mining & mineral engineering this year. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public school located in the town of Butte. About 58% of students finish within six years. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana awarded about 13 mining & mineral engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mining & mineral engineering program make about $68,773 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,962 to complete this degree.
See the full mining & mineral engineering program report for Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
University Of Kentucky placed #7 among the best mining & mineral engineering schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 mining & mineral engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mining & mineral engineering from University Of Kentucky
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best mining & mineral engineering schools. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 46 mining & mineral engineering degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
Read more about the mining & mineral engineering program at Missouri University Of Science And Technology
West Virginia University came in at #9 for mining & mineral engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 17 mining & mineral engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $85,897 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,903.
More information about a degree in mining & mineral engineering from West Virginia University
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best mining & mineral engineering schools. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology graduates 52% of students within six years. About 23 mining & mineral engineering degrees were awarded at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the mining & mineral engineering program make about $90,514 in their early career. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology graduates carry a median of $27,914 in student loans.
Get the full mining & mineral engineering details for South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Mining & Mineral Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Mining & Mineral Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
