2026 Best Value Petroleum Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

#1

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $17,239 in debt. 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. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin

#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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, compared with $26,094 for out-of-state students. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,329. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

#3

University Of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $63,552 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. More on University Of North Dakota

#4

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 #4 spot. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $26,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Texas Tech University report

#5

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 #5 this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station

#6

University Of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

University Of Tulsa placed #6 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. University Of Tulsa Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. 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. The acceptance rate is 62%. See the full University Of Tulsa profile

#7

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

University Of Houston offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $23,366. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,377 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Houston

#8

University Of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $24,638. University Of Wyoming alumni report median earnings of $56,880 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants. More on University Of Wyoming

#9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $22,337 in debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $57,413 a decade after entry. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus

#10

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Golden, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,335. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines

#11

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,126 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report

#12

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,950 to complete their Petroleum Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology profile

#13

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #13 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. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $10,492. Stanford University alumni report median earnings of $124,080 a decade after entry. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University has an acceptance rate of 4%. Read more about Stanford University

#14

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. Set in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University Kingsville Petroleum Engineering students take on a median of $25,531 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,450 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full Texas A And M University Kingsville profile

#15

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $23,439. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,866 ten years after entry. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks profile

#16

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #16 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $20,798. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read more about University Of Utah

#17

University Of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #17 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Petroleum Engineering program debt is $25,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Kansas has an acceptance rate of 94%. More on University Of Kansas

#18

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on West Virginia University

#19

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #19 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Based 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile

#20

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,498. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%. See the full University Of Southern California profile

#21

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #21 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. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical Petroleum Engineering student debt is $28,756. Median earnings reach $76,489 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted. More on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

#22

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #22 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report

#23

Marietta College

Marietta College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools. See the full Marietta College profile

#24

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

#25

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on The University Of Alabama

#26

Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University placed #26 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Francis University

#27

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

#28

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

#29

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Mississippi State University

#30

Texas A And M International University

Texas A And M International University placed #30 among the best-value Petroleum Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Texas A And M International University report

#31

University Of Louisiana Lafayette

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

#32

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus