Mining and Mineral Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Mineral and mining engineering is a rigorous, interdisciplinary field focused on the sustainable and efficient extraction, processing, and refinement of valuable geological resources. This program equips students with advanced technical knowledge and analytical skills to solve complex challenges in underground and surface mining operations, environmental stewardship, and industrial efficiency.
- Open pit and shaft mining design: Study of methods and structural planning for large-scale surface and deep underground excavation, emphasizing stability, safety, and resource recovery.
- Prospecting and site analysis: Application of geological surveying, remote sensing, and geospatial tools to identify and evaluate mineral-rich deposits and operational sites.
- Environmental and safety systems: Development and implementation of protocols to minimize ecological impact and ensure compliance with safety standards across mining operations.
- Mine equipment and infrastructure: Design, maintenance, and optimization of heavy machinery, ventilation systems, and support structures essential for safe and productive mining environments.
- Mineral processing and refining: Techniques for separating, concentrating, and transforming raw ore into marketable mineral products using physical, chemical, and metallurgical processes.
- Logistics and communications networks: Integration of data systems, transportation planning, and real-time monitoring to enhance coordination and operational efficiency across mining sites.
Mining and Mineral Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Mining and Mineral Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Mining and Mineral Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary and Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 257,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers 17-2151 | $101,020 | $62,500 - $163,740 | 6,770 | $48.57 |
Mining and Mineral Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $111,633 in West Virginia to $163,430 in North Carolina—a 46% difference. The highest-paying states include North Carolina, California, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 257,020 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Mining and Mineral Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Mining and Mineral Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Mining and Mineral Engineering is found at Colorado School of Mines (60 graduates), Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) (46 graduates), University of Arizona (24 graduates), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (23 graduates), and University of Kentucky (UK) (21 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 285 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
60 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
46 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Public | sdsmt.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Socorro, New Mexico | Public | nmt.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Mining and Mineral Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Mining and Mineral Engineering degree?
Salaries for Mining and Mineral Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $106,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in North Carolina average $163,430 compared to $111,633 in West Virginia. Approximately 257,020 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Mining and Mineral Engineering programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Mining and Mineral Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Colorado School of Mines (60 graduates), Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) (46 graduates), and University of Arizona (24 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Mining and Mineral Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 234 in 2010 to a peak of 327 in 2020, before declining slightly to 285 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Mining and Mineral Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, and Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers. Related occupations employ approximately 257,020 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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