Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

What is Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum engineering is responsible for the production of machinery and systems for the extraction and refinement of petroleum for a variety of purposes. Individuals in this field may specialize in a number of areas related to petroleum, including location, extraction, processing, and utilization.  A petroleum engineer is one of the highest paid and most sought after engineers based on the value they create for private and public organizations in the petroleum industry.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$147,030

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

74.79%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

32,780

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Petroleum Engineering Degree

Stanford University offers a program for Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering. This program is designed to prepare students for professional work in the energy industry through completion of fundamental courses both in the major field and in related sciences. Students who enter this graduate program should have an undergraduate-level energy resources engineering background. The prerequisites for taking most graduate courses are, competence in computer programming, knowledge of energy resources engineering and geological fundamentals. 

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

University of Southern California is offering a Graduate degree in Petroleum Engineering. This program in Petroleum Engineering involves the technology of economically developing and producing subterranean reservoirs of oil, steam, gas, hot water and designing underground waste disposal facilities. This program is designed to discuss technology that relies on basic concepts of chemistry, geology, thermodynamics, physics, mathematics, fluid mechanics and economics. USC’s Petroleum Engineering is one of the oldest in the country with considerable industry support and interaction. 

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The programs offered at The University of Texas at Austin in Petroleum Engineering are Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD. In this field, students will be taught how to solve problems. They will also learn how to design new processes and workflows in the oil & gas production and services industries. Their students use advanced computer technologies and methods in order to evaluate potential oil and gas reservoirs, select and implement recovery schemes, oversee drilling activities and design surface collection and treatment facilities. 

Acceptance Rate

31.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Colorado School of Mines established a Department of Petroleum Engineering. Its vision of distinction is to lead the world in education, research, training and innovation for the responsible and sustainable development and acquisition of subsurface energy resources. They teach undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students to become problem solvers based on science and engineering technology. They aim to innovate, pioneer and lead in fundamental, long term research and technology development at the same time inform the general public, government and non-government entities of socially responsible energy development. 

Acceptance Rate

53.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

The School of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Tulsa is the largest department on the TU campus. It has been internationally recognized as one of the top petroleum engineering schools in the country. Its mission is to provide high-quality educational experience which prepares each graduate to work in the petroleum industry or to pursue an advanced petroleum engineering degree. The school is proudly offering many research opportunities with 21 existing consortia and joint industry projects which are all supported by some of the world’s top energy firms. 

Acceptance Rate

35.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

A Petroleum Engineering degree program is currently offered at the University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Campus. The integral part of the curriculum for this program is chemical processes and an in-depth understanding of how these processes can improve lives. Students may specialize in kinetics and catalysis, thermodynamics and phase behavior, petroleum reservoir engineering, multiphase processes, coal and environmental processes, transport phenomena, reactor engineering, solids processing, polymer and surface phenomena. Graduates of this program can find employment in diverse sectors including polymer, petroleum, biochemistry, the environment and food industries. 

Acceptance Rate

56.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The College of Engineering at Texas A&M University is offering a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering. It is primarily concerned with the safe and economic extraction of gas, oil and other essential natural resources from the earth. Its goal is to preserve, create, integrate, transfer and apply petroleum engineering knowledge. It also aims to enhance the human capability of its practitioners. 

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah is based on hands-on curriculum and innovative research in chemical processes, environment and energy, medicine and multi-scale simulations. Its goal is to prepare students to create life-changing solutions. They take much pride in providing a curriculum for undergraduate chemical engineering that trains students for jobs in industry and for post-graduate training in law, engineering and medicine. Additionally, they also offer a graduate degree program which offers a variety of doctoral and master’s degrees for recent graduates and working professionals. 

Acceptance Rate

62.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Saint Francis University is currently offering a Petroleum Engineering Degree. The curriculum at SFU emphasizes the theoretical and hands-on learning, project design and execution and service learning. Which results in a major with a holistic program which develops graduate engineers who bring a balanced approach to the field of energy extraction. Students here will receive plenty of opportunities in the classroom and beyond. 

Acceptance Rate

74.54

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

A Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering is currently available at Mississippi State University. This will provide graduates with state-of-the-art education and training for developing energy resources for the world today. At the same time, students will also study how to enable new technological energy solutions for the future. This program will teach students how to design, develop and implement technologies to characterize oil and gas reserves. 

Acceptance Rate

53.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University of Houston is addressing America’s challenges in gas and oil, conventional and unconventional resources and responsible production and exploration of hydrocarbons through their Petroleum Engineering major. This academic program instills deep technical knowledge with deep understanding of global perspectives on energy. The Cullen College of Engineering is currently offering a MS non-thesis, MS thesis and PhD degrees in petroleum engineering. A graduate-level certificate program in “Unconventional Reservoirs” is also available. 

Acceptance Rate

64.98

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

The Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University is offering an undergraduate and graduate program. Although the petroleum engineering curriculum for their undergraduate program is primarily designed for careers in the petroleum industry, it is also tailored suitable for careers in related areas like ground water hydrology, solution mining, geothermal energy, and underground storage or disposal fluids. Additionally, the graduate programs they provide includes a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Engineering. These are both open to students who hold a degree in petroleum engineering disciplines, those who hold a degree in other engineering fields should take additional coursework. 

Acceptance Rate

74.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Oklahoma State University offers a program for Master’s in Petroleum Engineering and it is geographically well positioned in one of the most active exploration areas you can find in the country. Since the college receives strong support from local and national oil and gas operators and service companies, their students are given the expertise that they need to be successful in their careers. They also have a program for a Doctorate in Petroleum Engineering. In this program, engineers will be hands-on with understanding of applied mechanics, fluid behavior, formation rock, and application of their effects on drilling, reservoir and environmental sustainability and completion economics. 

Acceptance Rate

69.98

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is proudly offering a degree in Petroleum Engineering. This program is designed to prepare students to become master problem solvers and tackle various challenges like technology and economics. They will learn how to ensure a balance between efficiency, sustainability and affordability in the production of energy. University of Oklahoma provides state-of-the-art advanced research facilities which provide students with unparalleled opportunities to experience the future of the gas and oil industry. 

Acceptance Rate

80.41

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Missouri University of Science and Technology offers an academic program for Petroleum Engineering. In this program, students will perform meaningful research towards the advancement of oil and gas recovery at the same time gain technical knowledge and weigh ethical considerations. They will learn how to plan and supervise drilling of wells and evaluate oil and gas production. Graduates of this program now enjoy successful careers, working all over the world in the areas of drilling, production, and reservoir of oil and gas fields. 

Acceptance Rate

79.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette prides themselves on finding solutions to complex engineering problems by conducting classroom projects and research endeavors. In fact, the society of their Petroleum Engineers student chapter was recognized as the best in the world and in North America for the last five years. Today, their program in petroleum engineering keeps on growing significantly. Since their program is now proven to be renowned, students who choose it benefits. 

Acceptance Rate

67.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The starting salary for petroleum engineers is the highest of all engineering disciplines, and you can add in a degree from one of the top programs in the country at Marietta College. Their Petroleum Engineering Degree is known to be one of the top of its kind in the nation. They provide state-of-the-art facilities, abundant study abroad opportunities and leadership-focused courses. As students continue on the course of their education, they start to evolve into analytical problem solvers, effective communicators and globally-minded professionals who are ready for the demands of an international career in petroleum engineering. 

Acceptance Rate

70.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

University of Kansas offers a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering. The curriculum for this program is structured to develop fundamental concepts which describe the properties of fluids and rocks both in surface and subsurface environments. The goal of this program is to prepare students for professional practice in industry, government, or post-undergraduate training in petroleum engineering or in other related sciences. Students here will also learn how to design equipment and processes in order to achieve the maximum profitable recovery of oil and gas. 

Acceptance Rate

93.1

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University of North Dakota is proudly offering the only Petroleum Engineering degree in the state of North Dakota. By offering this program, they aim to develop a unique applied education and research program which includes recovery of oil and gas from conventional petroleum reserves. They guarantee to provide their students with the problem-solving skills required to be effective leaders in this rapidly growing field. Their students are assured to gain practical and hands-on experience. 

Acceptance Rate

81.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

West Virginia University offers the one in only four ABET accredited programs that encompasses both petroleum and natural gas engineering in the country. Their Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering provides educational programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. They constructed a curriculum that blends scientific and engineering fundamentals, computer applications, and oral and written communication followed by drilling engineering, reservoir engineering, production engineering and stimulation design which all lead to a capstone design course. Their faculty members are active in research in a wide range of specialties within petroleum and natural engineering and the Department is currently developing a broad scientific base in extraction technology.

Acceptance Rate

84.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering. It aims to provide students with quality education and training in the field of petroleum engineering through research, public service, effective teaching with emphasis on Alaska petroleum resources. This program requires a deep understanding of many disciplines including physics, geology, mathematics, chemistry and engineering science. The courses that students will take in this program deals with drilling, production, computer simulation, formation evaluation, reservoir engineering, and enhanced oil recovery. 

Acceptance Rate

75.99

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Master of Science in Natural Gas Engineering is what Texas A&M University – Kingsville offers. This program will prepare students for meaningful careers and major contributions to the natural gas, petroleum and chemical process industries. They do this through instilling fundamental concepts and practical knowledge of modern engineering that will help overcome current and future challenges of the industries. Completion of this program will qualify them for a doctoral study in petroleum/chemical or on other related disciplines. 

Acceptance Rate

77.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology experienced remarkable growth in student population for over the past ten years. Its graduates are among the highest paid and became the most sought after graduates in this vocational space.  In this department, students receive hands-on experience through the academic program. They also enjoy and benefit from a variety of summer internships. 

Acceptance Rate

79.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Those who are interested in meeting the challenges of supplying the world with energy the, the bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering at Montana Technological University is the best choice for you. They guarantee relevant industry exposure along with meaningful contact with faculty. They help their students grow as they encourage them to participate in student’s organizations like their Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter. Students are also privileged to work with faculty on undergraduate research.  

Acceptance Rate

90.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Wyoming is offering courses that prepare students for careers in petroleum and energy-resource fields. The state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that they have provides higher levels of research capabilities. They also take pride in their faculty who created innovative and rigorous research opportunities for graduate students. Their facility is easily reconfigurable, modular and expanded because different research areas grow or dissemble overtime. 

Acceptance Rate

95.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Top Petroleum Engineering Degrees

Specialty degrees in petroleum engineering are available from a number of accredited colleges and universities.  Before selecting a program, students must first understand the degree options and the associated components of each degree.  Below we have summarized the degree programs in petroleum engineering (PE) to help you make a great decision for your career based on your unique priorities.  To learn more about each, simply request information from the accredited schools found on this resource page.  Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in PE include the following:

Bachelor Degree in Petroleum Engineering

Bachelor’s degrees in petroleum engineering are conferred as a Bachelor of Science or BS for short.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Bachelor of Science degree is chosen by 9 out of 10 PE’s in the field.  As the most popular degree track, a bachelor’s degree will take 4-years to complete for full-time students and longer for part-time students.  Bachelor degree programs blend liberal arts classes such as communication, philosophy, history, math, and sociology with core curricula.

Core classes found in a typical PE program include: foundations of engineering, engineering math, mechanics, general chemistry, electricity, optics, physical geology, statics and particle dynamics, drilling systems, differential equations, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, reservoir petrophysics, geology of petroleum, reservoir fluids, petroleum processing and transport, well testing, reservoir engineering, drilling engineering, production systems, reservoir simulation, production engineering, and integrated reservoir modeling.

Master Degree in Petroleum Engineering

Master’s programs in PE can be conferred as a Master in Engineering (MEng) or Master of Science (MS).  The primary difference between the MS and MEng degree tracks in petroleum engineering is the emphasis on research.  Students in the MS track will have a greater emphasis on research, theory, and methodologies.  On the other hand, MEng students will be learning more about engineering principles to be applied in the field.  Courses in the master’s degree track will be selected by the student and advisory committee as a function of available resources and areas of interest.  Students in a master’s degree track will be required to complete and defend a thesis project intended to extend the learning in the PE field of study.

Classroom based degrees and online degrees in petroleum engineering are options for graduate students at many schools.  To determine which learning modality is best for you, simply request information about both types of programs.

Doctorate Degree in Petroleum Engineering

Doctorate degrees in petroleum engineering are found in a course catalog listed as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at most schools.  PhD programs are designed for qualifying students to perform deep, meaningful research in the PE field.  Students in the doctorate program will determine classes in conjunction with an academic advisor to customize each degree program.  Prior to graduation, students will be required to complete and defend a board-approved dissertation project as well as pass a final examination.  Graduates will be well prepared for careers in academia, research and development firms, or other industry jobs.

College Requirements for Petroleum Engineers

Individuals may pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees in this area of study, requiring the individual to learn multiple disciplines with a specific focus on the unique properties of petroleum. An education will include a strong understanding of the sciences, mathematics, engineering, production methodologies, refining techniques, and more. An education may take between four and six years to complete, allowing students to become familiar with various tools and instruments related to the field.

A curriculum may include:

  • Extraction
  • Processing
  • Methods of Location
  • Engineering Principles
  • Physics

Schools that maintain active engineering departments should have facilities that allow for the modeling of various tools and machines used for the purposes of extraction and processing, as well as provide real or simulated practice for the location of fossil fuels and the manufacturing techniques for petroleum based products. Such programs are generally limited and specialized, and as such should be easy to identify as to whether they meet the needs of a given student.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities for Petroleum Engineers

A confluence of event over the next decade is believed to be responsible for the availability of positions within this field, including the fluctuation of oil prices and the large number of expectant retirees in the field. As a result, individuals who wish to pursue petroleum engineering should find employment with relative ease, regardless of their area of specialization. Individuals will typically work in private firms responsible for one or more aspects of the petroleum processes listed above. The median annual income for a PE is$147,030 which is nearly 300% above the national average. The top 25% of PE's will make $179,450 on average and bottom twenty five percent average $97,430 a year. Industry growth is estimated at 10% which translates to some 13,000 petroleum engineering jobs added over the coming decade.

Top Employers of Petroleum Engineers

  1. Oil and Gas Extraction Firms 12,090
  2. Mining Corporations 4,870
  3. Management Companies 4,580
  4. Petroleum & Coal Manufacturers 3,360
  5. Architectural and Engineering Firms 1,940

States with the Highest Employment of Petroleum Engineers

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • California
  • Louisiana
  • Colorado

Top Paying States for Petroleum Engineers

  1. Colorado $161,200
  2. Texas $158,430
  3. Louisiana $148,130
  4. Alaska $147,930
  5. Washington $143,840

The Society of Petroleum Engineers is an organization that promotes the fieldand works to update available technologies and information as needed to create more efficient and safe working standards for such workers. Members receive a variety of resources and professional networking opportunities to help grow their respective careers in this field of study.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com