by our College Data Analytics Team
[Petroleum Engineering](/majors/engineering/petroleum-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find where petroleum engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose petroleum engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot for highest-paid petroleum engineering graduates in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Early-career petroleum engineering graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $121,692 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in petroleum engineering will find them at Texas Tech University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Petroleum Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $116,140 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #3 place for petroleum engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Petroleum Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of about $125,028 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin produces some of the highest-paid graduates in petroleum engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a public institution. After graduating, petroleum engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin typically earn about $99,276 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in petroleum engineering will find them at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Petroleum Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of about $88,652 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #6 for petroleum engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. After graduating, petroleum engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville typically earn about $43,257 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their petroleum engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.