2026 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas At Austin this year for petroleum engineering. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 100 petroleum engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their petroleum engineering degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $86,761 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,239. More information about a degree in petroleum engineering from The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in petroleum engineering, ranking #2. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 petroleum engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Graduates of the petroleum engineering program make about $120,587 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full petroleum engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station

3

University Of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK

Students looking for a strong petroleum engineering program will find one at University Of Tulsa, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 petroleum engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Tulsa in the most recent data year. Petroleum Engineering graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of $66,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in petroleum engineering from University Of Tulsa

4

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

A rank of #4 makes Texas Tech University one of the top schools for petroleum engineering. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 petroleum engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their petroleum engineering degree from Texas Tech University earn around $80,460 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,090. Read more about the petroleum engineering program at Texas Tech University

5

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston one of the top schools for petroleum engineering. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 petroleum engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, petroleum engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $52,295. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $23,366 in student loans. Get the full petroleum engineering details for University Of Houston

6

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best petroleum engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 petroleum engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their petroleum engineering degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $61,223 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree. Get the full petroleum engineering details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

7

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #7 spot for petroleum engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 17 petroleum engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the petroleum engineering program make about $61,299 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Read more about the petroleum engineering program at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin