2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Schools

#1

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $17,239 in debt. The University Of Texas At Austin alumni report median earnings of $75,121 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin

#2

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Butte, MT

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #2 on this year's best-value Petroleum Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,329 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana profile

#3

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $26,090 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,454 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants. See the full Texas Tech University profile

#4

University Of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. University Of North Dakota Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,552. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota

#5

Texas A And M University College Station

College Station, TX

You'll get strong value at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #5 this year. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $19,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,097. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%. More on Texas A And M University College Station

#6

University Of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

University Of Tulsa placed #6 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,408. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Tulsa

#7

University Of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $24,638. Median earnings reach $56,880 ten years out. Set against $24,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants. See the full University Of Wyoming profile

#8

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

University Of Houston offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $23,366. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,377. That is a strong return on a $23,366 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Houston

#9

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $97,335 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. More on Colorado School Of Mines

#10

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $22,337. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,413. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus

#11

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $28,950. Missouri University Of Science And Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,957 a decade after entry. Set against $28,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report

#12

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #12 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus alumni report median earnings of $63,126 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#13

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Kingsville, TX. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,450 ten years after entry. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read more about Texas A And M University Kingsville

#14

University Of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $25,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. More on University Of Kansas

#15

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #15 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. University Of Alaska Fairbanks alumni report median earnings of $48,866 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks

#16

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $20,798. Median earnings reach $67,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on University Of Utah

#17

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $26,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,939. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. See the full West Virginia University profile

#18

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,251. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

#19

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $10,492. Stanford University alumni report median earnings of $124,080 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Stanford University report

#20

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. University Of Southern California Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,498 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Southern California

#21

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public school based in Socorro, NM. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $28,756 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants. Get the full New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology report

#22

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. See the full The University Of Alabama profile

#23

Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Saint Francis University report

#24

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania report

#25

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full Mississippi State University profile

#26

Marietta College

Marietta College placed #26 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Marietta College profile

#27

University Of Louisiana Lafayette

University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Louisiana Lafayette

#28

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

#29

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #29 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus profile

#30

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

#31

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Get the full The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin report

#32

Texas A And M International University

Texas A And M International University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on Texas A And M International University