According to the 2016
SME Guide to Minerals and Materials Science Schools, 427 mining engineering degrees (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) were awarded to students graduating from U.S. mining schools in 2015, a 20-percent increase from the previous year’s number of 356 graduates. The number of graduates from U.S. mining and mineral engineering programs has increased steadily since 2004, which saw an all-time low of 54.
Although there has been a decline in the number of mining and mineral engineering programs at U.S. colleges and universities, there continues to be a noticeable increase in the number of graduates in those programs. Mining is one of a handful of sectors that is projected to add jobs at a fairly constant rate over the next 20 years. The industry demand for qualified graduates to enter the workforce only intensifies as vacancies are created by professionals reaching retirement age.
SME and the SME Foundation recognize the long-term challenges that threaten the sustainability U.S. mining schools and are awarding annual Ph.D. Fellowships and Academic Career Development
grants to address these challenges and ensure the future viability of these institutions.