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Mining Engineering Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$59K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$129K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

8.4 yrs

in Worcester

Cost of Living

117

index (100 = avg)

Mining Engineering in Worcester, MA Overview

Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Mining Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,228/month. Mining Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Mine Design and Explosives. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $58,500, growing to $128,700 by mid-career.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$16,670/yr

Private Tuition

$56,344/yr

Room & Board

$20,077/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,422/yr

Unemployment

5.2%

Graduation Rate

51%

Mining Engineering Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,500(+$8,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$128,700(+$18,700 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$157,950(+$22,950 vs national)

Note: National average Mining Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.

Mining Engineering ROI Calculator for Worcester

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

Public avg: $16,670 | Private avg: $56,344

Worcester avg aid: $15,422/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$146,988

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$17,550

vs HS diploma in Worcester

ROI Payback Period

8.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Worcester

$882,612

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,029,600) minus total education cost ($146,988)

Student Loan Payoff for Mining Engineering in Worcester

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$146,988
Monthly Payment$1,669
Total Interest$53,294
% of Monthly Income34%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$146,988
Monthly Payment$2,876
Total Interest$25,571
Interest Savings$27,723

Colleges in Worcester for Mining Engineering

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

private

$56,818/yr

$227,272 total

College of the Holy Cross

private

$55,870/yr

$223,480 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Quinsigamond Community College

$5,760/yr

Top Employers for Mining Engineering in Worcester

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

Freeport-McMoRanRio TintoBHPNewmontCaterpillar

Key Worcester 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 Worcester — 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.

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