by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 28 U.S. colleges awarded 739 degrees and certificates in Petroleum Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 56% of graduates. College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $68,881 one year after completing, rising to $110,898 after four years.
Most of our modern equipment relies on petroleum for fuel. Although scientists are working on creating new forms of energy, our society still relies heavily on petroleum. If you would like to participate in finding and extracting this precious resource, consider majoring in Petroleum Engineering.
As a Petroleum Engineering major, you will take classes in applied mathematics, geology, thermodynamics, and engineering principles. These classes will equip you with the skills to drill and collect petroleum and maintain rigs to ensure we have enough gas to complete our day-to-day tasks.
Studying Petroleum Engineering explores Petroleum Engineering.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., petroleum engineering is a popular field of study, with 739 degrees awarded annually. 28 colleges award petroleum engineering degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 134.
By level, the 739 awards include 416 bachelor’s degrees, 220 master’s degrees and 103 doctorates.
Women earned 21% of petroleum engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (153 of 739). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (207) and Hispanic or Latino (96), and international students earned 343.
College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools ranking, including 13 for bachelor’s degrees, 8 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks petroleum engineering schools within 9 states. In all, 28 colleges offer petroleum engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Petroleum Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common petroleum engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 416 of the 739 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to petroleum engineering call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Strong math and analytical skills will help students succeed in this field. Each drilling location is different, meaning engineers must be able to develop a drilling plan, adjust for issues, and determine any problems that may arise. Creativity and problem-solving skills will allow engineers to accomplish these tasks. Students must also be able to work in teams with a variety of other professionals.
Petroleum Engineering is a full time job that often has long hours. Many work between 50-60 hours a week while traveling back and forth from drilling locations. While at a drilling location, petroleum engineers rotate being on duty every 84 hours.
Like most engineering professions, petroleum engineering employers require previous experience. Students are able to gain this experience through internships or cooperative engineering programs, which allow students to earn credit while working.
Most entry-level jobs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree. However, if you wish to rise within the company or want to conduct research and development, you may have to receive your master's degree. Some colleges offer 5-year programs that end with the receiving of both degrees.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a petroleum engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 416 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 220 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 103 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to petroleum engineering, at 34.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 34.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 13.5% |
| Master’s degree | 11.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Petroleum Engineering, with an average median salary of $101,941; the strongest outlook belongs to Petroleum Engineers, at 13.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Highway Engineering Teacher, Research Professor, Theoretical Mechanics Teacher and Surveying Teacher.
A degree in Petroleum Engineering often leads graduates to a career in oil and gas extraction. Graduates currently hold jobs with oilrig companies, mining companies, and oil product manufacturers. Since large petroleum sources are outside the United States, some graduates have pursued careers in other countries.
The occupation related to petroleum engineering with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Petroleum Engineers | 432,291 | 13.1% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Petroleum Engineering graduates earn a median $68,881 one year after completing their program, $110,898 after four years and $103,379 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,881 |
| 4 years | $110,898 |
| 5 years | $103,379 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to petroleum engineering, with a median salary of $137,336.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineers | $137,336 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
Petroleum Engineering includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Petroleum Engineering (739). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 202,296 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical Engineering (43,874), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (27,513) and Computer Engineering (21,335). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | 739 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 43,874 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 27,513 |
| Computer Engineering | 21,335 |
| Civil Engineering | 19,856 |
| Engineering, General | 14,789 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 14,592 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,559 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 10,170 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,023 |
| Systems Engineering | 4,489 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
