Best colleges for Petroleum Engineering in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pennsylvania State University, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and Saint Francis University award the most Petroleum Engineering degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 43, 3 and 1 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Pennsylvania colleges offer Petroleum Engineering and award 47 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Petroleum Engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on the production of hydrocarbons, including crude oil and natural gas. This program is designed for students interested in the upstream sector of the oil and gas…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,795 | 43 | 86% | — | $22,368 |
Colleges awarding the most Petroleum Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 43 | $85,795 |
| 2 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 3 | Saint Francis University Loretto Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171).
Top skills
What Petroleum Engineers earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Petroleum Engineering programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Petroleum Engineering degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (43 graduates a year), Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (3 graduates a year) and Saint Francis University (1 graduate a year) award the most Petroleum Engineering degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Pennsylvania colleges offer Petroleum Engineering.
Which Petroleum Engineering program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pennsylvania State University tops the list at $85,795. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Petroleum Engineers earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Petroleum Engineers in Pennsylvania is $120,180 (median $101,880), across about 600 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Petroleum Engineering program?+
Petroleum Engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on the production of hydrocarbons, including crude oil and natural gas. This program is designed for students interested in the upstream sector of the oil and gas…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Petroleum Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +1.3% growth with around 1,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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