Petroleum Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

University of Oklahoma stands out with petroleum engineering graduates earning $91,017 annually, the highest among affordable programs nationwide. This reflects Oklahoma's position as home to major oil companies like Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy, creating strong industry connections for students. Texas dominates the affordable options with four universities under $20,000, including Texas A&M International at just $3,061 net cost. The 19 programs span from $3,061 to $19,678, with public universities making up nearly all affordable options except Marietta College. West Virginia University graduates earn the lowest at $61,303, while debt loads range from $20,500 to $27,750. New Mexico Tech combines reasonable costs at $8,265 with solid earnings of $75,204, reflecting the state's active oil and gas sector in the Permian Basin.

Programs

$3,061 – $19,678

Net Price Range

$74,342

Avg. Program Earnings

60.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Petroleum Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Texas A & M International University Laredo, Texas	$3,061	$7,846	48.9%	47.9%
2	New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, New Mexico	$8,265	$9,058	56.4%	74.4%
3	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$9,144	$10,904	43.0%	94.7%
4	University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, Alaska	$9,634	$8,640	36.7%
5	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
6	University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	$11,779	$6,938	59.8%	96.0%
7	West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia	$12,997	$9,648	61.2%	88.4%
8	Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri	$13,773	$14,278	63.6%	81.5%
9	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
10	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana	$14,118	$10,418	52.0%	74.6%
11	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
12	Montana Technological University Butte, Montana	$16,240	$8,050	58.1%	89.5%
13	University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas	$17,365	$11,700	68.8%	87.8%
14	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$17,413	$9,595	75.3%	72.9%
15	Marietta College Marietta, Ohio	$18,372	$38,974	58.1%	82.9%
16	University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota	$18,998	$10,951	63.3%	83.3%
17	Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania	$19,173	$41,720	72.8%	73.1%
18	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania	$19,524	$10,507	65.9%	74.3%
19	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M International's $3,061 net cost possible for petroleum engineering?

The university's location in Laredo provides lower living costs compared to major Texas cities. With a 47.88% acceptance rate, the program maintains selectivity while keeping expenses minimal. The school serves many first-generation college students, leading to substantial federal aid packages that drive down net costs significantly.

How do earnings compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Oklahoma graduates earn $91,017 despite the program costing $17,413, while Texas A&M International at $3,061 doesn't report earnings data. New Mexico Tech offers strong value with $75,204 earnings at just $8,265 cost. The data shows that higher program costs don't always correlate with better post-graduation salaries in petroleum engineering.

Where do petroleum engineering graduates typically work after completing these programs?

Texas programs feed directly into the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Gulf Coast refineries. Oklahoma graduates often join companies in the Anadarko Basin and Bakken formation operations. Wyoming and Alaska programs serve regional oil fields, with Alaska graduates earning $75,889 working in North Slope operations and offshore platforms.

Is Marietta College worth the higher cost compared to public options?

At $18,372 net cost, Marietta College costs significantly more than most public alternatives. Graduates earn $71,575, which falls between mid-tier public programs but doesn't justify the premium over schools like New Mexico Tech. The 58.10% graduation rate matches some public programs, making the value proposition questionable for budget-conscious students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.