2026 Best Value Mining Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

#1

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

Rapid City, SD

Leading the list is South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology, our #1 best-value Mining Engineering school in the United States. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public school based in Rapid City, SD. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $27,914. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology has an acceptance rate of 80%. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile

#2

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Butte, MT

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #2 on this year's best-value Mining Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,094 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $23,962. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,329 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,962 median debt. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana has an acceptance rate of 91%. Get the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana report

#3

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #3 on this year's best-value Mining Engineering ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $28,000. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report

#4

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI

You'll get strong value at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Median earnings reach $78,198 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University has an acceptance rate of 92%. See the full Michigan Technological University profile

#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. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $20,907. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,698 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

#6

University Of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Arizona report

#7

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $97,335 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines

#8

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #8 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. University Of Utah Mining Engineering students take on a median of $20,798 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about University Of Utah

#9

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Engineering program debt is $18,747. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,489 ten years after entry. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 44% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology report

#10

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Fairbanks, AK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. University Of Alaska Fairbanks Mining Engineering students take on a median of $23,439 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,866. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks

#11

University Of Nevada Reno

Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. University Of Nevada Reno Mining Engineering students take on a median of $19,918 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,614. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Reno

#12

University Of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete their Mining Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read more about University Of Kentucky

#13

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical Mining Engineering student debt is $24,903. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on West Virginia University

#14

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

#15

Columbia University In The City Of New York

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#16

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama

#17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

#18

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best-value Mining Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

#19

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale