Best Mining and Mineral Engineering Degrees in the US by ROI

Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Programs Analyzed

7

Colleges with salary data

Average 20-Yr Net ROI

+$645,821

Across all programs

Average Annual Cost

$29,351

Cost of attendance

# College State 20-Yr Net ROI Median Salary Annual Cost Avg Debt
1 Colorado School of Mines

Grad rate: 80.5%

CO +$801,366 $91,467 $38,556 $25,000 Full ROI →
2 University of Arizona

Grad rate: 66.9%

AZ +$781,443 $87,557 $28,543 $11,500 Full ROI →
3 University of Nevada-Reno

Grad rate: 62.1%

NV +$716,852 $82,783 $24,702 N/A Full ROI →
4 University of Kentucky

Grad rate: 69.3%

KY +$693,396 $83,128 $32,291 N/A Full ROI →
5 West Virginia University

Grad rate: 61.7%

WV +$524,928 $74,663 $23,678 $24,903 Full ROI →
6 Missouri University of Science and Technology

Grad rate: 62.6%

MO +$506,888 $74,365 $25,653 $28,000 Full ROI →
7 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Grad rate: 86.3%

VA +$495,875 $74,613 $32,040 $20,907 Full ROI →

How ROI is calculated

20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.

Find Best Mining and Mineral Engineering Degrees by State

Browse Mining and Mineral Engineering programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.