Mining Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mining engineering students pursuing a degree.
Where you study mining engineering matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Mining Engineering 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Mining Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Arizona is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mining engineering. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 24 mining engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mining 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.
See the full mining engineering program report for University Of Arizona
Students looking for a strong mining engineering program will find one at Colorado School Of Mines, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Golden. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 60 mining engineering degrees were awarded at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mining engineering degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $83,309. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in mining engineering from Colorado School Of Mines
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mining engineering, ranking #3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 mining engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mining engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $74,793 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,907.
More information about a degree in mining engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Utah came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best mining engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Salt Lake City. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 13 mining engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mining engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
See the full mining engineering program report for University Of Utah
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best mining engineering schools. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 17 mining engineering students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology in the most recent data year. Mining 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.
Get the full mining engineering details for New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earned the #6 position for mining engineering this year. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public school located in the town of Butte. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana awarded about 13 mining engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mining engineering program make about $68,773 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,962 to complete this degree.
Get the full mining engineering details for Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
University Of Kentucky ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mining engineering schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 21 mining engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mining engineering degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $49,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,094.
Get the full mining engineering details for University Of Kentucky
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #8 among the best mining engineering schools. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 46 mining engineering degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mining engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
Get the full mining engineering details for Missouri University Of Science And Technology
West Virginia University landed the #9 spot for mining engineering this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 17 mining engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mining engineering degree from West Virginia University earn around $85,897 in the first couple years of their career. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $24,903 in student loans.
Read more about the mining engineering program at West Virginia University
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best mining engineering schools. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 mining engineering students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mining 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 engineering details for South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
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).
