Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at The University of Texas Permian Basin vary significantly by field of study, ranging from high-earning engineering programs to service-oriented fields with more modest returns. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 18 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for earnings performance, national ranking, and enrollment at UTPB.
#8 nationally
$100K median earnings
Engineering programs dominate UTPB's highest earnings, with Petroleum Engineering graduates earning $99,979 and Mechanical Engineering at $88,618. Business programs cluster in the $50,000-$62,000 range, while social sciences and interdisciplinary programs typically produce earnings in the $40,000-$50,000 range. These earnings variations reflect industry demand, regional economic conditions, and career pathway differences rather than program quality alone.
UTPB's highest-ranked programs cluster in engineering and social sciences, led by Petroleum Engineering's #7 national ranking and Psychology's #92 position. The engineering programs leverage regional industry strength, while social science programs demonstrate effective preparation despite more competitive national landscapes. Program rankings reflect post-graduation earnings and career outcomes rather than academic inputs, helping students understand likely return on their educational investment across different fields of study.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt capacity, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at The University Of Texas Permian Basin.
UTPB's engineering programs deliver exceptional earnings outcomes with strong national rankings. Petroleum Engineering ranks #7 nationally with graduates earning $99,979, while Mechanical Engineering ranks #75 nationally at $88,618.
Both programs benefit from the regional oil and gas economy, creating immediate career opportunities. Engineering students can expect excellent loan affordability with payments under 8% of discretionary income.
This group is best suited for students seeking high-return technical careers with strong regional industry connections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering. |
Program rankings reflect labor market outcomes rather than academic reputation, explaining why programs at the same institution show varied performance. Petroleum Engineering's #7 national ranking reflects strong regional industry demand, while Biology's #311 ranking indicates competitive challenges in a crowded field. Earnings differences stem from industry pay scales, regional economic conditions, and career pathway variations. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion data to assess overall program return on investment. Data comes from federal College Scorecard records requiring minimum cohort sizes for privacy protection. Rankings help students understand likely career outcomes but should be combined with personal interests, aptitudes, and career goals when making program selections. The methodology emphasizes post-graduation results over inputs like faculty credentials or resources.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores at UTPB highlight programs delivering strong outcomes relative to debt and completion rates. Psychology leads with a 73.7 value score despite moderate earnings, followed by Adult Development and Aging at 69.5. Engineering programs show solid value despite higher absolute earnings, while some business and communication programs show more modest value performance. Value analysis helps students identify programs offering the best return on educational investment.
Most UTPB programs demonstrate excellent to good loan affordability, with engineering and business programs typically achieving excellent ratings with payments under 8% of discretionary income. Psychology and Exercise Science show good affordability with payments between 8-12% of discretionary income. Family and Consumer Sciences programs face manageable but higher payment burdens of 12-18% of discretionary income, though all programs show standard payoff timelines under 10 years.
| #8 |
| $99,979★ |
| — |
| 39 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #74 | $88,618 | — | 55 |
| Artificial Intelligence.Small sample | #189 | $56,415 | — | 19 |
Business programs at UTPB serve the largest student populations while delivering solid earnings outcomes. Business Administration graduates 117 students annually earning $61,973, ranking #137 nationally.
Accounting Technology produces 49 graduates earning $62,669, while Digital Marketing serves 30 students at $50,003. Value scores range from excellent (Business Administration at 59.9) to more modest performance (Digital Marketing at 16.5).
This group offers reliable career preparation with excellent to good loan affordability across programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #184 | $62,669★ | — | 49 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #136 | $61,973 | — | 117 |
| Digital Marketing. | #184 | $50,003 | — | 30 |
UTPB's nursing program graduates 44 students annually earning $54,252, though it ranks #269 nationally with a value score of 2.2. The program faces competitive challenges compared to other nursing schools but provides essential healthcare workforce training.
Students should expect excellent loan affordability with payments under 8% of discretionary income. This path serves students committed to healthcare careers despite more modest value metrics compared to the university's stronger programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #278 | $54,252 | — | 44 |
Geochemistry and Petrology. leads sciences & mathematics with 60K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geochemistry and Petrology.Small sample | #22 | $60,021★ | — | 13 |
| Biology, General. | #310 | $41,565 | — | 26 |
Psychology leads this group as UTPB's second-largest program, graduating 107 students earning $50,137 and ranking #92 nationally with an excellent value score of 73.7. Criminology serves 32 students earning $41,193, ranking #39 nationally but with a more modest value score of 22.4.
Adult Development and Aging produces strong value outcomes (69.5 score) despite lower earnings of $40,903. Students can expect good to manageable loan affordability, making these programs accessible for service-oriented career paths.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | #93 | $50,137★ | — | 107 |
| Applied/Public Sociology.Small sample | #201 | $45,701 | — | 13 |
| Criminology. | #41 | $41,193 | — | 32 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates 46 students annually earning $45,950, ranking #211 nationally with a value score of 17.6. The program serves regional media and communication needs but faces competitive challenges in earnings outcomes.
Students can expect good loan affordability with payments between 8-12% of discretionary income. This path suits students passionate about communication fields while understanding the earnings limitations relative to other career options.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #217 | $45,950 | — | 46 |
Biology represents UTPB's science offerings with 26 graduates earning $41,565, though it ranks #311 nationally with a value score of 15.8. The program faces significant competitive challenges compared to biology programs elsewhere.
Students should expect manageable loan affordability but should carefully consider career goals given the program's performance metrics. This field requires careful evaluation of career objectives and alternative pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General.Small sample | #193 | $42,682★ | — | 13 |
| American History (United States).Small sample | — | $37,208 | — | 9 |
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies serves 55 students earning $48,204, ranking #72 nationally but with a modest value score of 16.5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates 46 students earning $50,300 with a stronger value score of 51.0 and good loan affordability.
These programs offer flexibility for diverse career paths but require careful consideration of specific career objectives. Students should evaluate how these interdisciplinary approaches align with their professional goals.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #102 | $50,300★ | — | 46 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #76 | $48,204 | — | 55 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #29 | $40,903 | — | 32 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
