Best Schools for Mining and Mineral Engineering

Mining and Mineral Engineering graduates earn a median of $101,394 within four years of graduating, ranking #6 out of 283 tracked majors — 62% above the median across all fields. There are 10 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 169 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Arizona graduates earn $120,031 while South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates earn $88,904 — a $31,127 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Mining and Mineral Engineering graduates see an average 2% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.