by our College Data Analytics TeamMost 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.
Petroleum Engineering was the 223rd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,111 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 19 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for petroleum engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of petroleum engineering programs later in this article.
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.
petroleum engineering degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional petroleum engineering certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of petroleum engineering degrees. Petroleum Engineering programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest petroleum engineering degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a petroleum engineering degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to petroleum engineering, with approximately 49.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for petroleum engineering workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 60.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 3.0% |
About 99.5% of workers in careers related to petroleum engineering obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in petroleum engineering have received.
The education level required is different depending on the petroleum engineering career you are seeking.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your petroleum engineering degree? Petroleum Engineering careers are expected to grow 8.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to petroleum engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
| Petroleum Engineers | 38,800 | 15.1% |
Recently graduated petroleum engineering students earned an average of $68,518 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $42,325 to as high as $171,571. As you might expect, salaries for petroleum engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for petroleum engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers petroleum engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineers | $156,370 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
With over 78 different petroleum engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased petroleum engineering school rankings to help you with this.
Petroleum Engineering is one of 41 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Petroleum Engineering | 1,111 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 44,794 |
| Electrical Engineering | 26,528 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,655 |
| Computer Engineering | 16,954 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 13,222 |
