Mining Engineering Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Design and operation of mines for extracting minerals and resources.
Starting Salary
$72K
median
Mid-Career
$110K
salary
ROI Payback
3 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3%
rate
Mining Engineering Overview
Design and operation of mines for extracting minerals and resources.
Category
Engineering
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
10%
Lifetime Premium
$880K
Female Graduates
15%
Mining Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
0 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$862,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($880,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Mining Engineering Salary Progression
Common Mining Engineering Careers
Mining Engineer
Mine Manager
Geological Engineer
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Mining Engineering
#1
Colorado School of Mines
#2
Virginia Tech
#3
Penn State
#4
University of Arizona
#5
Missouri S&T
Related Majors
Mining Engineering Degree FAQ
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