2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Our analysis found Texas Tech University to be the best-value Petroleum Engineering school in the United States. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $26,090 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. That is a strong return on a $26,090 median debt. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Texas Tech University profile

#2

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $17,239 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin has an acceptance rate of 27%. 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. Located in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $27,000. 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

#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. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report

#5

University Of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

A rank of #5 makes University Of Tulsa one of the best values in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. University Of Tulsa alumni report median earnings of $61,408 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Tulsa

#6

University Of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. 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. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Wyoming

#7

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Golden, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Colorado School Of Mines alumni report median earnings of $97,335 a decade after entry. 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 placed #8 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Norman, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $24,625. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,126. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#9

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. 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. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report

#10

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

University Of Houston placed #10 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $23,366. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,377. Set against $23,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston has an acceptance rate of 74%. See the full University Of Houston profile

#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. 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. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $25,750. Median earnings reach $61,251 ten years out. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College has an acceptance rate of 73%. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report

#12

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants. Get the full University Of Southern California report

#13

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $28,756. A decade after starting, 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. Read the full report on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

#14

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #14 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, 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. Get the full Stanford University report

#15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

#16

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks profile

#17

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania profile

#18

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama

#19

Marietta College

Marietta College placed #19 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Marietta College profile

#20

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report

#21

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Read more about Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

#22

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

#23

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

#24

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full Mississippi State University profile

#25

University Of Utah

University Of Utah landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Utah

#26

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Texas A And M University Kingsville report

#27

West Virginia University

West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about West Virginia University

#28

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

#29

University Of Louisiana Lafayette

University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. More on University Of Louisiana Lafayette

#30

Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Saint Francis University

#31

University Of Kansas

University Of Kansas ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full University Of Kansas profile

#32

Texas A And M International University

Texas A And M International University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Texas A And M International University