Only 31 colleges in the country offer Petroleum Engineering, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $104,823.
This page covers Petroleum Engineering as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Petroleum Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $104,823 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 31 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 941 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$68,913
Median Earnings · 4yr
$104,823
Colleges Offering
31
Graduates / Year
941
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,650
How Much Do Petroleum Engineering Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Petroleum Engineering, a typical graduate earns $104,823, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $80,747 and $146,680, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $68,913 at one year out to $104,823 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$104,823
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$102,594
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Petroleum Engineering graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$80,74725th pct.
$104,823Median
$146,68075th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $104,823 against an estimated $70,600 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 25 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 941 students who complete Petroleum Engineering programs each year, the majority (68%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
68%20%
Bachelor's68%
Master's20%
Doctorate11%
What Can You Do With a Petroleum Engineering Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Petroleum Engineering graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisSystems Evaluation
Day-to-day responsibilities
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Petroleum Engineering
Not sure where to study Petroleum Engineering? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Petroleum Engineering graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Programs
Petroleum Engineering is not the only path through Engineering: 37 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Petroleum Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Petroleum Engineering a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $104,823 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $68,913 at graduation to $104,823 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +7.8% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 19,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 31 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
$104,823 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $80,747 and $146,680, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Petroleum Engineering degree?
$68,913 in the first year out. That grows to $104,823 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Petroleum Engineering degree?
Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Petroleum Engineering program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Petroleum Engineering bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Petroleum Engineering?
31 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Petroleum Engineering degree worth it?
$104,823 median earnings four years out against $17,650 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Petroleum Engineering and Engineering?
Petroleum Engineering is the narrower of the two: Engineering covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Petroleum Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Petroleum Engineering graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Petroleum Engineering graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Petroleum Engineering graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Petroleum Engineering graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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