2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

For return on investment, no school beat Texas Tech University this year in the United States. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $26,090 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $62,454 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. More on Texas Tech University

#2

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the best values in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $17,239. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,121 ten years after entry. Set against $17,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report

#3

University Of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota came in at #3 on this year's best-value Petroleum Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. University Of North Dakota Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,552 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants. Read more about University Of North Dakota

#4

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 #4 this year. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station

#5

University Of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

University Of Tulsa came in at #5 on this year's best-value Petroleum Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,546 in tuition and fees. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,408. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Tulsa

#6

University Of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. University Of Wyoming Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $24,638 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,880. Set against $24,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wyoming profile

#7

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Colorado School Of Mines Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,335. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report

#8

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $24,625. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,126 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile

#9

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #9 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#10

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,366 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,377 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,366 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants. More on University Of Houston

#11

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $61,251 ten years out. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

#12

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. 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. Read more about University Of Southern California

#13

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Based in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $28,756. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology alumni report median earnings of $76,489 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,756 median debt. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology has an acceptance rate of 44%. More on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

#14

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Median earnings reach $124,080 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Stanford University

#15

University Of Kansas

University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. More on University Of Kansas

#16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile

#17

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville

#18

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Get the full The University Of Alabama report

#19

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. See the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana profile

#20

University Of Utah

University Of Utah landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Utah

#21

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus

#22

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #22 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania profile

#23

Marietta College

Marietta College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Marietta College report

#24

West Virginia University

West Virginia University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full West Virginia University profile

#25

Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Get the full Saint Francis University report

#26

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile

#27

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

#28

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus profile

#29

University Of Louisiana Lafayette

University Of Louisiana Lafayette offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about University Of Louisiana Lafayette

#30

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #30 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. More on University Of Alaska Fairbanks

#31

Texas A And M International University

Texas A And M International University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Texas A And M International University profile

#32

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Mississippi State University report