Compare 11 Petroleum Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $95,833.
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, well above the $95,833 average across 11 Southern programs. The University of Texas at Austin follows at $111,635, while Texas Tech delivers $106,480—showing how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school 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, UT Permian Basin leads with a 5.8% family burden—still excellent, proving top programs can be affordable.
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 | University Of TulsaPrivate | $105,280 | 49 | $21,500 | Excellent | $34,500 | Good |
| #5 | $100,443 | 47 | $22,902 | Excellent | $13,655 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $99,979 | 39 | $17,750 | Excellent | $13,000 | Excellent | |
| #7 | $99,685 | 72 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Good | |
| #8 | $90,741 | 80 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Good | |
| #9 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $88,983 | 87 | $22,500 | Excellent | $32,980 | Manageable |
| #10 | University Of HoustonPublic | $84,507 | 61 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #11 | $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 →
