DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 14.25), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in petroleum engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Petroleum Engineering Schools
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin tops our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools in the United States. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $61,299. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #2 place for petroleum engineering. 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. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $24,638. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $66,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in petroleum engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $28,950. Petroleum Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $69,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,950 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. 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. Petroleum Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $52,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #6 position for value in petroleum engineering this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,806 in student loans. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $49,781. Set against $22,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,289, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana generally make around $69,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #8 spot for petroleum engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Marietta College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,652. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $82,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #10 position for value in petroleum engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $17,239. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $86,761. Set against $17,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of North Dakota placed #11 among the best values for petroleum engineering. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, 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. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value petroleum engineering schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Petroleum Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $56,605. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for petroleum engineering. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $26,090. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $80,460. Set against $26,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #14 for value in petroleum engineering this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for petroleum engineering graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $69,603. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Tulsa placed #15 among the best values for petroleum engineering. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the petroleum engineering program here. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates make about $66,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
[Petroleum Engineering](/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
