2026 Best Mining Engineering Schools
Looking for the best Mining Engineering programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 19 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 19 Mining Engineering Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best Mining Engineering programs schools in the United States. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Mining Engineering students take on a median of $28,000 in debt. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
A rank of #2 makes Colorado School Of Mines one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Colorado School Of Mines Mining Engineering students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #3 on this year's Mining Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,907 in student loans. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $11,500. See the full University Of Arizona profile
The strong Mining Engineering programs at Michigan Technological University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Michigan Technological University Mining Engineering students take on a median of $25,800 in debt. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology placed #6 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Rapid City, SD. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $27,914. Read the full report on South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,289, compared with $26,094 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $23,962. Read the full report on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
University Of Kentucky came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $24,094. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. More on University Of Utah
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Mining Engineering schools. Located in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. University Of Alaska Fairbanks posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. See the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks profile
University Of Nevada Reno did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $19,918. Read more about University Of Nevada Reno
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #12 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $18,747. Read the full report on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Southern Illinois University Carbondale did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Southern Illinois University Carbondale Mining Engineering students take on a median of $23,730 in debt. Get the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale report
West Virginia University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $24,903. Read the full report on West Virginia University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #15 in this year's ranking. More on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
The University Of Alabama placed #16 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. More on The University Of Alabama
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #17 position. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Best Mining Engineering Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Mining Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Mining Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Mining Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Mining Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Mining Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Mining Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Mining Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).