2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Petroleum Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 32 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Petroleum Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 best-value Petroleum Engineering school 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. Graduates carry a median of $17,239 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,121 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Out of the 32 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana landed the #2 spot. Based in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,329. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants. See the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana profile
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Dakota one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,552. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants. More on University Of North Dakota
You'll get strong value at Texas Tech University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $26,090. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. That is a strong return on a $26,090 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Texas Tech University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #5 on this year's best-value Petroleum Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Tulsa came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,408 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants. See the full University Of Tulsa profile
University Of Houston offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Graduates carry a median of $23,366 in student loans. Median earnings reach $62,377 ten years out. Set against $23,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Houston
University Of Wyoming placed #8 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $24,638. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,880 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,638 median debt. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Wyoming
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $22,337 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,413. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $27,000. 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 has an acceptance rate of 61%. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #11 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $24,625 in debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus alumni report median earnings of $63,126 a decade after entry. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Graduates carry a median of $28,950 in student loans. Missouri University Of Science And Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,957 a decade after entry. 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
Stanford University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. 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. Stanford University has an acceptance rate of 4%. Read the full report on Stanford University
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #14 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $25,531. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Texas A And M University Kingsville report
University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fairbanks, AK. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. University Of Utah alumni report median earnings of $67,170 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. University Of Kansas Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. See the full University Of Kansas profile
West Virginia University placed #18 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $26,000. Median earnings reach $55,939 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. See the full West Virginia University profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Based 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $25,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,251. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Southern California ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $92,498 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants. See the full University Of Southern California profile
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Set in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $28,756. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $76,489. Set against $28,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology has an acceptance rate of 44%. Read more about New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Mississippi State University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Mississippi State University
Saint Francis University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Read more about Saint Francis University
The University Of Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Louisiana Lafayette report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Petroleum Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus report
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Read the full report on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
Marietta College
Marietta College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Marietta College
Texas A And M International University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on Texas A And M International University
Related Petroleum Engineering Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Petroleum Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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