Best colleges for Petroleum Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for locating, extracting, processing and refining crude petroleum and natural gas, including prospecting instruments and equipment, mining and drilling systems, processing and refining systems and facilities, storage facilities, transportation systems, and related environmental and safety systems.
28 U.S. institutions graduated 737 Petroleum Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.2501, a specialization of Petroleum Engineering (CIP 14.25), and leads most directly to the Petroleum Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2171).
About Petroleum Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for locating, extracting, processing and refining crude petroleum and natural gas, including prospecting instruments and equipment, mining and drilling systems, processing and refining systems and facilities, storage facilities, transportation systems, and related environmental and safety systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Petroleum Engineering program prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design and operation of systems for locating and extracting crude petroleum and natural gas. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the energy sector, particularly those who want to work on the technical aspects of oil and gas production, refining, and environmental safety.
Students in this program will gain core skills in critical thinking, active learning, and science, alongside knowledge in engineering, mathematics, and physics. Coursework typically includes topics related to drilling systems, production processes, and equipment used in the petroleum industry.
Credentials awarded
What Petroleum Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree414 graduates / yr · 25 institutions56%
- Master's degree189 graduates / yr · 19 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship103 graduates / yr · 14 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year26 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Petroleum Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,594 |
| 2013 | 1,623 |
| 2014 | 1,980 |
| 2015 | 2,339 |
| 2016 | 2,610 |
| 2017 | 2,747 |
| 2018 | 2,818 |
| 2019 | 2,268 |
| 2020 | 1,582 |
| 2021 | 1,255 |
| 2022 | 1,107 |
| 2023 | 937 |
| 2024 | 754 |
| 2025 | 737 |
Top 28 institutions for Petroleum Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 134 | 84% | — | $69,603 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 108 | 89% | — | $86,761 |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoral | 65 | 69% | — | $80,460 |
| 4 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 59 | 75% | — | $61,223 |
| 5 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 45 | 82% | — | $77,400 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 43 | 86% | — | $85,795 |
| 7 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 37 | 65% | — | $52,295 |
| 8 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 28 | 60% | — | $73,821 |
| 9 | University of Tulsa Tulsa, OKPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 27 | 72% | $23,470 | — |
| 10 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 69% | — | $56,605 |
| 11 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 57% | — | $42,325 |
| 12 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 65% | — | $68,913 |
| 13 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 18 | 64% | — | $69,670 |
| 14 | The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TXPublicBachelor's | 16 | 40% | — | $61,299 |
| 15 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 16 | Marietta College Marietta, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 61% | $18,561 | $82,205 |
| 17 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 59% | — | $66,221 |
| 18 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 69% | — | $42,865 |
| 19 | Montana Technological University Butte, MTPublicBachelor's | 10 | 58% | — | $69,212 |
| 20 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 38% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 53% | — | $49,781 |
| 22 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OKPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 68% | — | — |
| 23 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 66% | — | — |
| 24 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 2 | 67% | — | — |
| 25 | Texas A & M International University Laredo, TXPublicBachelor's | 2 | 46% | — | — |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 42% | — | $43,257 |
| 27 | Saint Francis University Loretto, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 74% | $15,989 | — |
| 28 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Petroleum Engineering field (CIP 14.25) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states
Where Petroleum Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Petroleum Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 7 | 364 | Texas A&M University - College Station134 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 3 | 93 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus59 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 47 | Pennsylvania State University43 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 45 | Colorado School of Mines45 / yr |
| Louisiana | 2 | 29 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College22 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 28 | University of North Dakota28 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 21 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology21 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 19 | West Virginia University19 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 18 | Missouri University of Science and Technology18 / yr |
| California | 2 | 15 | University of Southern California14 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 14 | Marietta College14 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 13 | University of Wyoming13 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 12 | University of Kansas12 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 10 | Montana Technological University10 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 7 | University of Alaska Fairbanks7 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 2 | Mississippi State University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2171, Petroleum Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Petroleum Engineering program can pursue careers as Petroleum Engineers, with an average median wage of $141,280. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 1,200 annual openings in the field, primarily requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.2501
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Petroleum Engineersprimary SOC 17-2171 | $144,910 | +1.3% Little or no change | ~1,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Petroleum Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Petroleum Engineering?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Petroleum Engineering.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and various scientific disciplines.
What is the job outlook for Petroleum Engineers?+
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.
What is the CIP code for Petroleum Engineering?+
Petroleum Engineering is CIP 14.2501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Petroleum Engineering (CIP 14.25). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for locating, extracting, processing and refining crude petroleum and natural gas, including prospecting instruments and equipment, mining and drilling systems, processing and refining systems and facilities, storage facilities, transportation systems, and related environmental and safety systems.
How many institutions offer Petroleum Engineering programs?+
28 U.S. institutions reported Petroleum Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states, awarding 737 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Petroleum Engineering graduates.
How much do Petroleum Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Petroleum Engineers occupation, which Petroleum Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $144,910 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Petroleum Engineering field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,913, College Scorecard.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Petroleum Engineering graduates, so its figures match the Petroleum Engineering program page.
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