Recognize those numbers? You have probably seen them every week since you were a teenager. Give up?

That’s right—they’re numbers that go with the “regular,” “super,” and “premium” gas options at your local gas station. Now, this article isn’t about what exactly those numbers really mean or which one you should choose for your sweet ride. We’ll leave that work to the petroleum engineers, who specialize in producing the fuels that run our lives.

What kind of Petroleum Engineering degree should you get?

The main thing we want to know, like you, is the bottom line: how much is this going to set me back? That’s why we’ve narrowed down this list to only the most affordable petroleum engineering degrees in the country.

The schools on this list vary. Some are state schools while others are regional institutions. Some feature concentrations and specialized tracks while others focus on mastering the fundamentals. But the one thing in common is the fact that none of these schools will break the bank.

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What can you do with a Petroleum Engineering degree?

Petroleum engineers are a lot of different things. At any given time, they are geologists, physicists, engineers, chemists, and environmentalists.

Their profession requires them to be well versed in all these disciplines so that they can extract raw fossil fuels from the earth responsibly, safely, and sustainably and turn them into the stuff that powers our cars, airplanes, farm tools, and other machines.

This is easier said than done! Locating, drilling, extracting, refining, and transporting these resources is a costly, complex, and in some cases risky endeavor, and the training involved in order to do so is extensive.

Most petroleum engineers specialize in one of three primary areas—drilling, production, or reservoir engineering. These are all necessary steps in transforming raw materials into usable products.

How much can you make with a degree in Petroleum Engineering?

The demand for petroleum engineers is expected to not only remain steady but in fact increase over the next several years. The median wage for a petroleum engineering is right around $130,000 per year, and the profession is expected to continue to grow at a faster-than-average rate of approximately 10 percent between now and 2024.

What are the best degrees in petroleum engineering?

So we’ve based this list exclusively on the cost of attendance. Don’t worry though—we’ve done our homework, and these are all top-quality schools that will point you in the right direction for your career!

#10 – The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas

Website
Points: 11
Net Price: $15,502

The Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin offers degree programs for both undergraduate students and graduate students. Both of these programs are relatively small, allowing for a close-knit community of peers and meaningful interaction between faculty and students. Despite its size, the department offers its students several interesting opportunities, particularly in research. Faculty members have interests in a wide range of areas in the field, and even undergraduate students are able to participate in faculty research.

#9 – Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Website
Points: 12
Net Price: $16,463

The Texas Tech University Department of Petroleum Engineering is one of the largest of its kind and offers degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level. One of the most impressive aspects of the department is its facilities. It is home to the Terry Fuller Petroleum Engineering Research Building. This state-of-the art, 42,000 square foot building has allowed the already large program to expand and provide its students with more hands-on opportunities. There are several specialized labs and classrooms, and coursework is closely connected with laboratory experience.

#8 – University of Houston

Houston, Texas

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Points: 12
Net Price: $21,749

The University of Houston’s Department of Petroleum Engineering offers four degree programs: a BS, an MS, an MPE, and a PhD. These programs are broad and train students to work in a multinational, multidisciplinary environment. The programs are also new and relatively small, but strong. All students, even undergraduates, have access to the department’s research resources. Petroleum engineering students also benefit from the university’s location in Houston. The department maintains strong partnerships with the city’s petroleum industry, allowing students to interact with potential employers through internships and conferences.

#7 – Montana Tech

Butte, Montana

Website
Points: 12
Net Price: $13,547

Montana Tech offers a BS in Petroleum Engineering and a MS in Petroleum Engineering with specializations in Production Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, and Drilling Engineering. All of these specializations include opportunities to gain hands-on experience both on and off campus. Montana Tech is home to five on-campus labs where students can participate in research and become familiar with specialized equipment. Students are also able to participate in field experiences all over the state. Petroleum engineering degree students who graduate from either of these programs are well-prepared for both further study and entry into the industry.

#6 – University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

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Points: 12
Net Price: $9,643

The University of Alaska-Fairbanks is one of the best options for students interested in the arctic oil and gas development aspect of petroleum engineering. Alaska is home to the largest oil field in America, and this university’s petroleum program is the only one of its kind in the state. Students are able to participate in research specifically regarding frozen reservoirs and other conditions unique to Alaska’s environment. This specific petroleum engineering degree program may not be ideal for individuals not interested in the arctic aspects of the industry, but it is perfect for those who want to specialize in this area.

#5 – University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Points: 14
Net Price: $37,521

The University of Southern California’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science offers master’s and doctoral degrees in petroleum engineering. The master’s program includes a geoscience track and a one-of-a-kind smart oilfield technologies track. Both of these tracks are available online for the convenience of working students. The department has a history of interaction with and support from the petroleum industry. Thanks to the industry’s contributions to the department, petroleum engineering students enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, special programs, and opportunities to connect with future employers.

#4 – Stanford University

Stanford, California

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Points: 14
Net Price: $16,779

The Department of Energy Resources Engineering at Stanford University offers MS and PhD degree programs in Petroleum Engineering. These programs are housed in the Green Earth Sciences Building, which operates facilities for research in several areas. In addition to access to these facilities, each graduate student is given a computer powerful enough to run almost all necessary software. For projects requiring an exceptional amount of computer power, all students have access to high-performance computational resources on-campus. Students may also participate in the department’s graduate seminar series and summer short courses.

#3 – Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, Missouri

Website
Points: 14
Net Price: $13,954

The Missouri University of Science and Technology is home to the only petroleum engineering degree program in the state, as well as the only program in the nation with an emphasis in mechanical earth modeling. It offers a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, a master’s degree program, and two doctoral degree programs. Both undergraduate and graduate students have access to state-of-the-art, specialized facilities, including computer labs and experimental labs. Multiple honor societies and student organizations are also open to students looking for fun extracurricular activities and opportunities to network.

#2 – Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado

Website
Points: 15
Net Price: $26,856

The Petroleum Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines works to prepare its students to enter the interdisciplinary and international petroleum industry. Both the department’s graduate and undergraduate program attract students from around the world. The department also maintains strong partnerships with other departments to create a multidisciplinary environment in both research and classroom instruction. Petroleum engineering degree students are encouraged to join student and professional organizations, as well as to study abroad. Some funding is available for students who attend conferences held by professional organizations.

#1 – Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

Website
Points: 16
Net Price: $19,237

Texas A&M University’s Petroleum Engineering Department is well-known for its excellent curriculum, facilities, and faculty. It offers four degree programs: a BS, an MS, an MEng, and a PhD. The MEng program is primarily focused on practice, whereas the MS and PhD programs are primarily focused on research. The BS in petroleum engineering is a bit broader and trains students in both aspects of the field. The department is home to multiple specialized research laboratories, such as the Global Petroleum Research Institute. More adventurous students may also choose to study abroad.

This concludes our ranking of 10 great value colleges for a petroleum engineering degree.