2026 Best Mining Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Mining Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 19 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Colorado School Of Mines, our #1 Mining Engineering school in the United States. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. More on Colorado School Of Mines
A rank of #2 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $28,000. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
You'll be in good company at University Of Arizona, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Out of the 19 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #4 spot. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Mining Engineering students take on a median of $20,907 in debt. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
The strong Mining Engineering programs at University Of Kentucky earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based 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, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
University Of Utah landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Utah
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Reno, NV. University Of Nevada Reno posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $19,918. Read more about University Of Nevada Reno
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Mining Engineering schools. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
West Virginia University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. See the full West Virginia University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #12 in this year's ranking. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #13 position. Read more about Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Michigan Technological University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Mining Engineering schools. More on Michigan Technological University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
University Of Alaska Fairbanks did well this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
The University Of Alabama landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Mining Engineering schools. More on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Related Mining Engineering Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Mining Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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).
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