by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 15 U.S. colleges awarded 262 degrees and certificates in Mining & Mineral Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Mining & Mineral Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $83,507 one year after completing, rising to $103,868 after four years.
Studying 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., mining & mineral engineering draws strong interest, with 262 degrees awarded annually. 15 colleges award mining & mineral engineering degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 48.
By level, the 262 awards include 9 associate degrees, 122 bachelor’s degrees, 108 master’s degrees and 23 doctorates.
Women earned 24% of mining & mineral engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (62 of 262). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (116) and Hispanic or Latino (25), and international students earned 85.
College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Mining & Mineral Engineering Schools ranking, including 6 for bachelor’s degrees and 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks mining & mineral engineering schools within 7 states. In all, 15 colleges offer mining & mineral engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Mining & Mineral Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common mining & mineral engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 122 of the 262 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to mining & mineral engineering call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a mining & mineral engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 122 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 108 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 23 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to mining & mineral engineering, at 36.2%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Mining & Mineral Engineering, with an average median salary of $102,183; the strongest outlook belongs to Architectural and Engineering Managers, at 9.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Civil Engineering Teacher, Heat Engineering Teacher, Petroleum Engineering Teacher and Circuits and Robotics Instructor.
The occupation related to mining & mineral engineering with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| 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% |
Mining & Mineral Engineering graduates earn a median $83,507 one year after completing their program, $103,868 after four years and $98,291 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $83,507 |
| 4 years | $103,868 |
| 5 years | $98,291 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to mining & mineral engineering is Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers, with a median salary of $138,303.
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
