Best colleges for Petroleum Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Petroleum Engineering by graduate earnings are The University of Texas at Austin ($86,761), Pennsylvania State University ($85,795) and Texas Tech University ($80,460), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX): $86,761, 108 graduates a year
- Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA): $85,795, 43 graduates a year
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX): $80,460, 65 graduates a year
- Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO): $77,400, 45 graduates a year
- University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND): $73,821, 28 graduates a year
Compare 28 U.S. colleges offering Petroleum Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 16 states.
Petroleum Engineering programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,913 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.25 and the Petroleum Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Petroleum Engineering programs
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 industry, where exploration and production are key activities aimed at maximizing economic recovery from subsurface reservoirs.
In this program, students will develop core skills in critical thinking, active learning, and science, alongside knowledge in engineering, mathematics, and physics. Coursework typically covers well modification, production monitoring, and data analysis to enhance oil and gas recovery processes.
Top 19 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $86,761 | 108 | 89% | — | $17,239 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,795 | 43 | 86% | — | $22,368 |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,460 | 65 | 69% | — | $26,090 |
| 4 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,400 | 45 | 82% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,821 | 28 | 60% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,603 | 134 | 84% | — | $19,000 |
| 7 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,223 | 59 | 75% | — | $24,625 |
| 8 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,605 | 22 | 69% | — | $25,750 |
| 9 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,295 | 37 | 65% | — | $23,366 |
| 10 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,325 | 21 | 57% | — | $28,756 |
| 11 | Marietta College Marietta, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $82,205 | 14 | 61% | $18,561 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $69,670 | 18 | 64% | — | $28,950 |
| 13 | Montana Technological University Butte, MT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $69,212 | 10 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $68,913 | 19 | 65% | — | $26,000 |
| 15 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $66,221 | 13 | 59% | — | $24,638 |
| 16 | The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $61,299 | 16 | 40% | — | $24,500 |
| 17 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,781 | 7 | 53% | — | $22,806 |
| 18 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,257 | 2 | 42% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,865 | 12 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
Specializations within Petroleum Engineering
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.25 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 16 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $85,795 | Pennsylvania State University |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | $82,205 | Marietta College |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | $77,400 | Colorado School of Mines |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | $73,821 | University of North Dakota |
| Missourilimited | 1 | $69,670 | Missouri University of Science and Technology |
| Texas | 7 | $69,603 | The University of Texas at Austin |
| Montanalimited | 1 | $69,212 | Montana Technological University |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | $68,913 | West Virginia University |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | $66,221 | University of Wyoming |
| Oklahoma | 3 | $61,223 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus |
| Louisianalimited | 2 | $56,605 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | $42,865 | University of Kansas |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | $42,325 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Californialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2171, Petroleum Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Petroleum Engineering can expect a career outlook with little or no change, featuring approximately 1,200 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is around $141,280, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Petroleum Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.25.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.25 (Petroleum Engineering) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2171 | Petroleum Engineersprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Petroleum Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
Common questions
What is Petroleum Engineering?+
It is a field focused on the production of hydrocarbons, including crude oil and natural gas.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, active learning, and scientific skills, along with knowledge in engineering and mathematics.
What is the job outlook for Petroleum Engineering?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 1,200 annual openings.
What is the average salary for Petroleum Engineers?+
The median wage for Petroleum Engineers is approximately $141,280.
How much do Petroleum Engineering graduates earn?+
Petroleum Engineering graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,913, College Scorecard (2019); the Petroleum Engineers occupation pays about $157,150 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Petroleum Engineering?+
Petroleum Engineering maps to CIP 14.25 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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