2026 Best Mining Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Mining Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 19 schools 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 evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Missouri University Of Science And Technology this year in the United States. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
You'll be in good company at Colorado School Of Mines, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,907 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
The strong Mining Engineering programs at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Out of the 19 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #5 spot. Set in Rapid City, SD, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Graduates carry a median of $27,914 in student loans. More on South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Michigan Technological University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Michigan Technological University Mining Engineering students take on a median of $25,800 in debt. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, compared with $26,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,962 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Read more about Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
University Of Kentucky placed #8 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $24,094. More on University Of Kentucky
University Of Utah landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $20,798. Get the full University Of Utah report
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Mining Engineering schools. Set in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Get the full New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology report
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #11 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. University Of Alaska Fairbanks graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
University Of Nevada Reno did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. More on University Of Nevada Reno
West Virginia University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. West Virginia University Mining Engineering students take on a median of $24,903 in debt. Read more about West Virginia University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
The University Of Alabama placed #15 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #16 among Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Mining Engineering schools. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #18 position. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Related Mining Engineering Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Doctoral 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).