by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mining & Petroleum Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mining-petroleum-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mining & petroleum technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mining & petroleum technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Louisiana Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value mining & petroleum technology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,210. Typical student debt for mining & petroleum technology graduates is $12,435. Early-career mining & petroleum technology graduates make about $38,854. That is a strong return on a $12,435 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at L E Fletcher Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for mining & petroleum technology. Located in the rural area of Schriever, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,219. Students borrow a median of $5,396 to complete the mining & petroleum technology program here. Mining & Petroleum Technology graduates of L E Fletcher Technical Community College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Nicholls State University one of the best values for mining & petroleum technology. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mining & petroleum technology graduates is $18,987. Early-career mining & petroleum technology graduates make about $58,199. That is a strong return on a $18,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.