2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Schools

1

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

Leading the list is The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, our #1 best value for petroleum engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Petroleum Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $61,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

Students looking for strong value in petroleum engineering will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #2. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,638 in student loans. Petroleum Engineering graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $66,221 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

3

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

Students looking for strong value in petroleum engineering will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $26,000. Petroleum Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $68,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Students looking for strong value in petroleum engineering will find it at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #4. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $28,950 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $69,670. That is a strong return on a $28,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in petroleum engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,366 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $52,295. Set against $23,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #6 for value in petroleum engineering this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,806 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Petroleum Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $49,781 early in their careers. Set against $22,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

7

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Butte, MT

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #7 among the best values for petroleum engineering. Set in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana generally make around $69,212. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #8 for value in petroleum engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $61,223. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

9

Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,652. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $82,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 for value in petroleum engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $86,761. That is a strong return on a $17,239 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota earned the #11 position for value in petroleum engineering this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $73,821. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

12

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #12 for value in petroleum engineering this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $56,605. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.

13

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #13 spot for petroleum engineering value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Petroleum Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $120,587 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

14

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #14 spot for petroleum engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $26,090 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $80,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

15

University Of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK

University Of Tulsa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $49,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

16

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #16 for value in petroleum engineering this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Petroleum Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $77,400 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.

17

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for petroleum engineering. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.