How Much Clout Does a Mining Degree Carry in the Real World?

According to a new H&R Block infographic, your college major carries more currency than you might expect, often predicting the level of financial success for future graduates.

Fortunately for students studying mining-related subjects like engineering and geology, degrees that prepare students to work in the mining industry are the most in-demand degrees in the workforce. In fact, industrial engineering is one of the top occupations for recent graduates. Furthermore, mining is one of the highest paying industries, with a starting salary of more than $80,000 per year.

So where can you find these college programs? The University of Arizona is celebrating its 126th anniversary of the founding of the Arizona School of Mines, a program dedicated to providing “lifelong learning, service, leadership, and new knowledge of engineering and scientific principles applied to earth systems for the purpose of discovery and sustainable development of non-renewable resources, conversion of mineral resources into usable materials, safe construction of structures on and in the earth, and in suit characterization of volumes of earth materials with invasive and non-invasive techniques.”

Additionally, the Colorado School of Mines has been found to be a good return on investment with highly employable graduates. And, in 2011, the South Dakota School of Mines graduates reportedly earned more than Harvard graduates.