2026 Best Value Mining Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

#1

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

Rapid City, SD

For return on investment, no school beat South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology this year in the United States. This public school is set in Rapid City, SD. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $27,914. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology alumni report median earnings of $72,257 a decade after entry. Set against $27,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read more about South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

#2

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Butte, MT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana has an acceptance rate of 91%. See the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana profile

#3

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Out of the 19 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #3 spot. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Missouri University Of Science And Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,957 a decade after entry. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#3

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #3 on this year's best-value Mining Engineering ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $23,730. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,390. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Blacksburg, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Mining Engineering students take on a median of $20,907 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report

#6

University Of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $11,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Arizona

#7

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,335. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile

#8

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $20,798. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read the full report on University Of Utah

#8

University Of Nevada Reno

Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno placed #8 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $19,918. Median earnings reach $60,614 ten years out. Set against $19,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Reno

#10

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $25,800. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,198. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Michigan Technological University

#11

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $23,439. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,866. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks

#12

University Of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. University Of Kentucky Mining Engineering students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Kentucky profile

#13

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public school based in Socorro, NM. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology alumni report median earnings of $76,489 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 44% of those who apply are admitted. More on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

#14

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #14 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $24,903. Median earnings reach $55,939 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,903 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. More on West Virginia University

#15

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile

#16

Columbia University In The City Of New York

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report

#17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #17 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile

#18

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama placed #18 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. More on The University Of Alabama

#19

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus