2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Schools

#1

University Of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

For return on investment, no school beat University Of North Dakota this year in the United States. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. More on University Of North Dakota

#2

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Butte, MT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,329. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana profile

#3

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Out of the 32 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #3 spot. 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. Texas Tech University Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $26,090 in debt. 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 has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read the full report on Texas Tech University

#4

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

You'll get strong value at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $17,239. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. That is a strong return on a $17,239 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report

#5

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

Odessa, TX

You'll get strong value at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Odessa, TX, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $24,500. Median earnings reach $56,073 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. Read more about The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

#6

Texas A And M University College Station

College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. 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, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 57% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station

#7

University Of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $24,638 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,880 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,638 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming

#8

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines placed #8 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Colorado School Of Mines Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $97,335 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report

#9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. 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. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus

#10

University Of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

University Of Tulsa placed #10 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. University Of Tulsa Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,408. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants. See the full University Of Tulsa profile

#11

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #11 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#12

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. University Of Houston Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $23,366 in debt. University Of Houston alumni report median earnings of $62,377 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants. More on University Of Houston

#13

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $28,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,957 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,950 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#14

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $23,969. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,513. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Mississippi State University report

#15

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. This public school is set in Fairbanks, AK. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $23,439. Median earnings reach $48,866 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks

#16

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Utah profile

#17

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,939. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. 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 came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,251. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%. More on 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. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $124,080. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Stanford University

#20

University Of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Located in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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. Get the full University Of Kansas report

#21

Marietta College

Marietta, OH

Marietta College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Marietta, OH, Marietta College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,652. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Marietta College alumni report median earnings of $57,180 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Marietta College report

#22

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. University Of Southern California alumni report median earnings of $92,498 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Southern California profile

#23

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #23 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,489 ten years after entry. Set against $28,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted. More on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

#24

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $51,450 ten years out. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants. Read more about Texas A And M University Kingsville

#25

University Of Louisiana Lafayette

Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lafayette, LA. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $22,806. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,089. Set against $22,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. Get the full University Of Louisiana Lafayette report

#26

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

#27

Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Saint Francis University profile

#28

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

#29

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

#30

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama placed #30 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about The University Of Alabama

#31

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #31 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report

#32

Texas A And M International University

Texas A And M International University placed #32 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Texas A And M International University