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Mining EngineeringMajor

This major addresses society's needs for mineral resources and the management, health, safety and environmental impacts associated with producing and processing these resources in a sustainable and responsible way.

By the numbers100,000

The Mining Engineering Department awards $100,000 in scholarships annually.

Overview

What is Mining Engineering at WVU like?

Description

Mining engineering includes exploration, extraction, processing, transportation, marketing, sales and utilization of mineral resources. Professionals are well-versed in mining and geology and also in the principles of civil, electrical and mechanical engineering as they apply to the mining industry.

The Mining Engineering program is designed to produce a professional capable of designing and managing a modern surface and/or underground coal, metal and/or non-metal mining operations.

Our Department features state-of-the-art laboratories, including rock mechanics, mine ventilation, mineral processing and surface mining labs.

Mining Engineering program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Mining Engineering at WVU unique?

Dual Major

This major offers the option to simultaneously complete a second bachelor's degree in:

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Students can specialize in a variety of materials, including coal metallic ore, industrial minerals and aggregates.
  • Students are receive rigorous training to operate and effectively use programs in mine design — from from SurvCADD to the Rocscience program.
  • For their own development, students often take courses offered by other departments, including Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Mining Engineering. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • ENGR 101: Engineering Problem-Solving 1
  • ENGR 102: Engineering Problem-Solving 2
  • ENGR 140: Engineering in History

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Most graduates obtain employment in either management or technical track positions at mining operations, including surface and underground, coal, metal and non-metal. Some work for equipment manufacturers, government agencies and consulting companies.

Most find employment at mines across the U.S.; however, a number of students have taken positions abroad in locations including Australia, Canada and Brazil.

Graduates also have pursued graduate degrees in mining engineering at WVU and other institutions, while others have obtained law degrees or MBAs.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Mining Engineering major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Mining Engineering at WVU?

MINE 206:
Surface Mining Systems

Surface mining methods, surface mining equipment, explosives and blasting design fundamentals, and slope stability.

MINE 382:
Mine Power Systems

Comprehensive study of mine electrical power systems from theory to practice, covering the vital aspects that go into planning and designing a mine power system.

MINE 411:
Rock Mechanics/Ground Control

Rock properties and behavior, in-situ stress field, mine layout and geological effects; design of entry, pillar, and bolt systems, convergence and stress measurements, surface subsidence, roof control plan, slope stability, and laboratory sessions.

MINE 471:
Mine and Safety Management

The nature of federal and state laws pertaining to coal mine and safety; emphasis on achieving compliance through effective mine planning, design, statistical quality control, and mine health and safety management.

Cost and Aid

How much does Mining Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Mining Engineering. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • ENGR 101: Engineering Problem-Solving 1
  • ENGR 102: Engineering Problem-Solving 2
  • ENGR 140: Engineering in History

Learn About Our HS ACCESS Early College Program

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Mining Engineering can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Mining Engineering at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Mining Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Engineering Requirements:

  • ACT Math: 22
  • SAT Math: 540

Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students:

  • GPA: 3.00

Requirements for Engineering Technology:

To be admitted to WVU's Engineering Technology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2025-26 academic year.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Mining Engineering major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Mining Engineering at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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