Skip to main content

Best Value Petroleum Engineering Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $92,124, while Texas A&M International offers the lowest net price at just $3,061. This creates a dramatic value spectrum across seven petroleum engineering programs, with earnings ranging from $67,380 to $92,124. Texas leads U.S. oil production, making these programs particularly relevant as the state produces over 40% of America's crude oil and houses major energy companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.
7
Programs
$3,061 – $20,924
Net Price Range
$83,817
Avg. Program Earnings
63.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Petroleum Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,144 $87,532 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
2 $13,853 $67,380 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
3 $19,678 $88,723 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
4 $20,924 $92,124 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
5 $20,071 $83,325 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
6 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
7 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,863 difference in net costs between the most and least expensive programs?

Texas A&M International's $3,061 net price reflects its location in Laredo and lower overall enrollment costs, while UT Austin's $19,678 represents a flagship university premium. Public universities dominate this field in Texas, with all seven programs being state institutions that offer in-state tuition advantages.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in these petroleum engineering schools?

UT Austin shows the strongest performance with an 87.6% graduation rate despite higher costs, while more affordable options like UT Permian Basin achieve 43% graduation rates. Texas A&M College Station balances both factors well with 83.8% graduation rates and $92,124 average earnings.

Which programs offer the best return on investment for petroleum engineering students?

Texas A&M College Station provides the highest earnings at $92,124 with moderate debt levels of $18,969, while UT Austin graduates earn $88,723 with lower debt at $17,239. Both significantly outperform University of Houston's $67,380 earnings despite comparable net costs.

More Petroleum Engineering Rankings

Cheapest Petroleum Engineering in Texas Petroleum Engineering Under $20,000 in Texas

Related

All Petroleum Engineering Programs Best Colleges in Texas Best Petroleum Engineering in Texas

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