2026 Best Value Mining Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Mining Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 19 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 19 Best-Value Mining Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $28,000. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology profile
You'll get strong value at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,907 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Out of the 19 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Arizona landed the #3 spot. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $11,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Arizona
Out of the 19 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Colorado School Of Mines landed the #4 spot. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $97,335 ten years out. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants. More on Colorado School Of Mines
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $20,798. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full University Of Utah profile
University Of Nevada Reno placed #6 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. The median Mining Engineering program 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. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
University Of Kentucky ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #9 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana report
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
The University Of Alabama came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile
West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. See the full West Virginia University profile
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks report
Michigan Technological University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology profile
Related Mining Engineering Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Mining Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Mining Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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