Compare 21 Petroleum Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $93,033. Top programs: $123,170+.
With top graduates earning $123,170, Petroleum Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $30K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Texas A&M University-College Station leads with petroleum engineering graduates earning $123,170, followed by UT Austin at $111,635. The average across 21 programs is $93,033, but Texas schools dominate the top spots—demonstrating that regional strength in specific industries trumps overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Texas A&M graduates borrow $17,804 and face just a 2.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Montana Tech leads with a 5.6% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $123,170
Strong outcomes with 63% acceptance rate
2.4% payment burden | Excellent
5.6% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $123,170 | 138 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Excellent | |
| #2 | $111,635 | 72 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Excellent | |
| #3 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $106,480 | 50 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Excellent |
| #4 | University Of TulsaPrivate | $105,280 | 49 | $21,500 | Excellent | $34,500 | Good |
| #5 | $102,453 | 28 | $18,750 | Excellent | $12,000 | Excellent | |
| #6 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | $101,481 | 84 | $23,000 | Excellent | $53,505 | Manageable |
| #7 | $100,443 | 47 | $22,902 | Excellent | $13,655 | Excellent | |
| #8 | $99,979 | 39 | $17,750 | Excellent | $13,000 | Excellent | |
| #9 | $99,685 | 72 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Good | |
| #10 | $97,134 | 16 | $20,291 | Excellent | $15,888 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $91,298 | 29 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,462 | Good | |
| #12 | $90,741 | 80 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Good | |
| #13 | University Of WyomingPublic | $89,957 | 65 | $18,000 | Excellent | $16,000 | Excellent |
| #14 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $88,983 | 87 | $22,500 | Excellent | $32,980 | Manageable |
| #15 | Marietta CollegePrivate | $88,869 | 47 | $27,000 | Excellent | $39,556 | Manageable |
| #16 | $86,097 | 32 | $22,057 | Excellent | $14,269 | Good | |
| #17 | $85,849 | 53 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #18 | University Of HoustonPublic | $84,507 | 61 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #19 | $83,781 | 18 | $19,085 | Excellent | $17,000 | Good | |
| #20 | University Of KansasPublic | $72,619 | 29 | $21,000 | Excellent | $32,347 | Manageable |
| #21 | $43,257 | 12 | $22,934 | Manageable | $14,224 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
