Mining and Mineral Engineering: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 7 reporting college programs.
+$238,323 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Arizona$120,0312Colorado School of Mines$109,6953West Virginia University$109,6194Missouri University of Science and Technology$95,7075Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$94,3976Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$91,4117South Dakota School of Mines and Technology$88,904Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $120,031 | $11,500 | +204% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Colorado School of MinesBachelor's Degree | Golden, CO | $109,695 | $25,000 | +119% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $109,619 | $24,903 | +166% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | Missouri University of Science and TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rolla, MO | $95,707 | $28,000 | +107% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $94,397 | $20,907 | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $91,411 | Not available | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rapid City, SD | $88,904 | $27,914 | +68% | Positive payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.