DegreeCalc

Mining Engineering Degree in Bend, OR — Salary & ROI 2026

Mining Engineering degree analysis for Bend, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$118K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.1 yrs

in Bend

Cost of Living

107

index (100 = avg)

Mining Engineering in Bend, OR Overview

While Bend has a smaller college scene with 2 institutions, Mining Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $16,767/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Mining Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Mine Design and Explosives. The adjusted starting salary in Bend is approximately $53,500, growing to $117,700 by mid-career.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

2

Public Tuition

$11,580/yr

Private Tuition

$54,584/yr

Room & Board

$16,767/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,503/yr

Unemployment

7%

Graduation Rate

49%

Mining Engineering Salary in Bend (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Bend's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,500(+$3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$117,700(+$7,700 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$144,450(+$9,450 vs national)

Note: National average Mining Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Bend adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.

Mining Engineering ROI Calculator for Bend

Estimate your return on investment for a Mining Engineering degree using local Bend tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $11,580 | Private avg: $54,584

Bend avg aid: $7,503/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$113,388

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$16,050

vs HS diploma in Bend

ROI Payback Period

7.1 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Bend

$828,212

Lifetime earnings premium ($941,600) minus total education cost ($113,388)

Student Loan Payoff for Mining Engineering in Bend

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$113,388
Monthly Payment$1,287
Total Interest$41,112
% of Monthly Income29%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$113,388
Monthly Payment$2,219
Total Interest$19,726
Interest Savings$21,386

Colleges in Bend for Mining Engineering

Oregon State University-Cascades

public

$11,580/yr

$46,320 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Central Oregon Community College

$4,536/yr

Top Employers for Mining Engineering in Bend

Bend offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mining Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Freeport-McMoRanRio TintoBHPNewmontCaterpillar

Key Bend Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Mining Engineering Job Titles

Mining EngineerMine ManagerGeological Engineer

Mining Engineering Degree in Bend — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Mining Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators