2026 Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 45 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Mining Petroleum Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found L E Fletcher Technical Community College to be the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology school in the United States. Located in Schriever, LA, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,219. L E Fletcher Technical Community College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $5,396 in debt. L E Fletcher Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $32,189 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full L E Fletcher Technical Community College profile
Bismarck State College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Mining Petroleum Technology ranking in the United States. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete their Mining Petroleum Technology program here. Bismarck State College alumni report median earnings of $54,277 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt. Read more about Bismarck State College
You'll get strong value at Navarro College, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Corsicana, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $3,008, compared with $6,578 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,781 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,716. That is a strong return on a $13,781 median debt. See the full Navarro College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nicholls State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Thibodaux, LA, Nicholls State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $18,987. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,454. That is a strong return on a $18,987 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full Nicholls State University profile
A rank of #5 makes Stark State College one of the best values in the United States. Located in North Canton, OH, Stark State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Petroleum Technology program debt is $17,349. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,661 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt. Get the full Stark State College report
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public school based in Okmulgee, OK. Students from in state pay about $5,774 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $13,356 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,634 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee report
Pierpont Community And Technical College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fairmont, WV, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,762, while out-of-state students pay about $13,660. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $16,268. Median earnings reach $35,132 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Pierpont Community And Technical College report
Houston Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Houston Community College is a public school based in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Graduates carry a median of $31,138 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,254 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Houston Community College
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Based in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $9,602. Lewis And Clark Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,724 a decade after entry. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lewis And Clark Community College
Lone Star College System came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in The Woodlands, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Lone Star College System Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $10,425 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,466. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lone Star College System
Lackawanna College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Scranton, PA, Lackawanna College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,400. Lackawanna College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,000 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Lackawanna College
West Virginia Northern Community College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Wheeling, WV, West Virginia Northern Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,706, while out-of-state students pay about $12,698. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $11,528. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on West Virginia Northern Community College
Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. This public school is set in Pleasant Gap, PA. Students borrow a median of $11,840 to complete their Mining Petroleum Technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,677 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology admits about 96% of applicants. See the full Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology profile
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Ivy Tech Community College
Williston State College landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Williston State College
University Of North Dakota placed #16 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Read more about University Of North Dakota
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Western Wyoming Community College
Bossier Parish Community College placed #18 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Bossier Parish Community College
Vincennes University placed #19 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. See the full Vincennes University profile
New Mexico State University Carlsbad ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Carlsbad
Rend Lake College placed #21 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. See the full Rend Lake College profile
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Get the full The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin report
Washington State Community College placed #23 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. See the full Washington State Community College profile
Eastern Arizona College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read the full report on Eastern Arizona College
University Of The Virgin Islands ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read more about University Of The Virgin Islands
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Mining Petroleum Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. More on Seward County Community College And Area Technical School
Western Texas College placed #27 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. More on Western Texas College
Coastal Bend College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Coastal Bend College report
Southwest Virginia Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Southwest Virginia Community College
Southern University At Shreveport came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southern University At Shreveport report
Central Technology Center placed #31 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Read more about Central Technology Center
Madisonville Community College placed #32 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Read more about Madisonville Community College
South Louisiana Community College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on South Louisiana Community College
Midland College
Midland College placed #34 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. See the full Midland College profile
Southwest Mississippi Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Southwest Mississippi Community College report
Pueblo Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Pueblo Community College
Uintah Basin Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full Uintah Basin Technical College profile
Butler County Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Butler County Community College report
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. See the full Mountain Empire Community College profile
Palo Alto College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Palo Alto College
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Bradford
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #44 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Aims Community College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Aims Community College profile
Related Mining Petroleum Technology Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (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 45 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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