by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mining & Petroleum Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mining-petroleum-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 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.
L E Fletcher Technical Community College earned the #1 spot for value among mining & petroleum technology schools in Louisiana. 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. Typical student debt for mining & petroleum technology graduates is $5,396. Early-career mining & petroleum technology graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $5,396 median debt.
South Louisiana Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mining & petroleum technology, landing the #2 spot this year. South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $4,210. Typical student debt for mining & petroleum technology graduates is $12,435. Mining & Petroleum Technology graduates of South Louisiana Community College earn a median of $38,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nicholls State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mining & petroleum technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,987 to complete the mining & petroleum technology program here. Soon after graduation, mining & petroleum technology degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $58,199. That is a strong return on a $18,987 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.