Compare 6 Petroleum Engineering. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $94,838.
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 $28K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Texas A&M University-College Station's Petroleum Engineering program leads with graduates earning $123,170, while the average across all 6 Texas programs is $95K. UT Austin follows at $111,635, demonstrating how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings would suggest.
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, UT Permian Basin leads with a 5.8% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $123,170
Strong outcomes with 63% acceptance
2.4% payment burden | Excellent
5.8% 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 | $99,979 | 39 | $17,750 | Excellent | $13,000 | Excellent | |
| #5 | University Of HoustonPublic | $84,507 | 61 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #6 | $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 →
