Texas · Petroleum Engineering

Best Petroleum Engineering institutions in Texas, ranked by earnings

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…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 14.25
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
342
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$61,299
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Petroleum Engineers
$158,990
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 6 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1The University of Texas at Austin
Austin Public · Bachelor's degree
$86,76110089%$17,239
2Texas Tech University
Lubbock Public · Bachelor's degree
$80,4604969%$26,090
3Texas A&M University - College Station
College Station Public · Bachelor's degree
$69,60314184%$19,000
4The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa Public · Bachelor's degree
$61,2991740%$24,500
5University of Houston
Houston Public · Bachelor's degree
$52,2952865%$23,366
6Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,257542%

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.3%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~1,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$141,280
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingMonitoring

What Petroleum Engineers earn in Texas

Jobs in Texas
10,640
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$158,990
median $153,200
Best-paying metro
$198,060
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

Related careers

Petroleum Engineers
$158,990 avg · 10,640 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Petroleum Engineering programs in Texas.

Which Petroleum Engineering program in Texas has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), The University of Texas at Austin tops the list at $86,761. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Petroleum Engineers earn in Texas?+

The average annual wage for Petroleum Engineers in Texas is $158,990 (median $153,200), across about 10,640 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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