DegreeCalc

Mining Engineering Degree in Metairie, LA — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$45K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$98K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.9 yrs

in Metairie

Cost of Living

89.4

index (100 = avg)

Mining Engineering in Metairie, LA Overview

Metairie, Louisiana (pop. 138,481) has 6 colleges offering Mining Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 89.4 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $645/month. Mining Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Mine Design and Explosives. The adjusted starting salary in Metairie is approximately $44,700, growing to $98,340 by mid-career.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

6

Public Tuition

$9,800/yr

Private Tuition

$28,000/yr

Room & Board

$13,366/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,835/yr

Unemployment

3.4%

Graduation Rate

57%

Mining Engineering Salary in Metairie (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Metairie's cost of living index of 89.4 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,700($-5,300 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$98,340($-11,660 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$120,690($-14,310 vs national)

Note: National average Mining Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Metairie adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.

Mining Engineering ROI Calculator for Metairie

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

Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $28,000

Metairie avg aid: $14,835/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$92,664

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,410

vs HS diploma in Metairie

ROI Payback Period

6.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Metairie

$694,056

Lifetime earnings premium ($786,720) minus total education cost ($92,664)

Student Loan Payoff for Mining Engineering in Metairie

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,664
Monthly Payment$1,052
Total Interest$33,598
% of Monthly Income28%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,664
Monthly Payment$1,813
Total Interest$16,121
Interest Savings$17,477

Colleges in Metairie for Mining Engineering

Metairie State University

public

$8,983/yr

$35,932 total

University of Metairie

public

$10,583/yr

$42,332 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Metairie Community College

$4,982/yr

Top Employers for Mining Engineering in Metairie

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

Freeport-McMoRanRio TintoBHPNewmontCaterpillar

Key Metairie 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 Metairie — 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 Metairie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators