Compare 19 Petroleum Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $108,237. Top programs: $145,353+.
With top graduates earning $145,353, Petroleum Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $37K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 19 ranked programs, a University of Tulsa graduate outearn peers from programs at larger, better-known institutions.
Topping the list, the University of Tulsa's Petroleum Engineering program delivers $145,353 in median earnings—well above the $108,237 average across all 19 ranked programs. Two public universities claim the next two spots: the University of Texas at Austin ($139,867) and Texas Tech University ($139,864), both accessible with admission rates above 26%. Regional publics aren't chasing prestige programs here—they're leading them.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Tulsa graduates carry $21,500 in student debt and face just a 2.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families factoring in parent loans, Montana Technological University leads with a 5.3% family burden—also 'Excellent'—on combined debt of $30,750. Both schools prove strong outcomes and low debt burdens can coexist. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of TulsaPrivate | $145,353 | 25 | $21,500 | Excellent | $34,500 | Excellent |
| #2 | $139,867 | 75 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Excellent | |
| #3 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $139,864 | 43 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Excellent |
| #4 | $123,416 | 39 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Excellent | |
| #5 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | $116,691 | 86 | $23,000 | Excellent | $53,505 | Manageable |
| #6 | $114,686 | 93 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #7 | $113,669 | 32 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Good | |
| #8 | $106,076 | 20 | $18,750 | Excellent | $12,000 | Excellent | |
| #9 | $103,421 | 45 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Good | |
| #10 | $102,594 | 21 | $22,902 | Excellent | $13,655 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $102,405 | 19 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,462 | Good | |
| #12 | University Of WyomingPublic | $100,911 | 22 | $18,000 | Excellent | $16,000 | Excellent |
| #13 | $99,932 | 11 | $22,057 | Excellent | $14,269 | Excellent | |
| #14 | Marietta CollegePrivate | $99,295 | 35 | $27,000 | Excellent | $39,556 | Manageable |
| #15 | University Of KansasPublic | $97,527 | 13 | $21,000 | Excellent | $32,347 | Good |
| #16 | University Of HoustonPublic | $94,651 | 27 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Excellent |
| #17 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $91,142 | 64 | $22,500 | Excellent | $32,980 | Manageable |
| #18 | $87,532 | 24 | — | — | — | — | |
| #19 | $77,469 | 9 | $22,934 | Excellent | $14,224 | Good |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
