America’s Top 10 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools


One of the highest paying jobs in America is petroleum engineering. According to CNN Money surveys, it is on the 32nd spot on their list having a top pay of $265,000 and a median of $162,000. This is because petroleum engineers are in the demand in oil and gas production sites in the U.S. Their role is vital in the drilling process and its operations. If you are considering in pursuing this course in college, here is the list of best petroleum engineering schools in America.

1. University of Texas (Austin, TX)

University of Texas

This university in Austin has a dedicated department that prepares the new generation of petroleum engineers to be efficient, effective, and be of great help in improving the quality of life of the public. Their tradition of excellence is carved out of their tough curriculum, along with their top-notch educators, and incomparable research program.

2. Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

Texas A&M University

This Texas-based university offers programs for graduate and undergraduate degree. The university is widely recognized in terms of teaching and researching (both national and international), and currently has students in 30 countries.

3. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus (University Park, PA)

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

This well-known university in Pennsylvania prepares its student for a career with huge oil companies, as well as, oil exploration and production and service companies. The program’s primary focus is on the application of both mathematical and scientific principles on the blueprint, expansion and operational assessment for the location, extraction, as well as, with the processing and cleansing of crude petroleum oil and natural gas.

4. University of Houston (Houston, TX)

University of Houston

Being one of the best petroleum engineering schools, their undergraduate program focuses on the fundamentals that include drilling, manufacture, Petrophysics, and engineering reservoir. Not only that, they also provide in-depth training on their reservoir, production and chemical engineering modules. On the other hand, their graduate or Masters Program requires math, science and engineering background pre-requisites.

5. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Baton Rouge, LA)

 Louisiana State University

This nationally ranked university of LSU has a department that actively obtains summer employment for its students in the petroleum industry. They also encourage their student to join and participate as members in the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Hey also encourage them to take the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) on their senior year in preparation for a license as a professional engineer.

6. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

 University of Southern California

The university’s mission is to provide its graduates, a well-rounded education in order to cope up with the demands of the industry. They are able to handle the challenging curriculum and the laboratory projects. They must be able to conduct pioneering research, and exude integrated leadership role to the multi-disciplinary community between science and engineering.

7. University of Kansas Main Campus (Lawrence, KS)

University of Kansas

This acclaimed university offers two degrees which are chemical and petroleum engineering. They also offer graduate or masters courses. The focus of their petroleum engineering course is on reservoir engineering, which is the science of advancing the oil and gas productivity reservoirs.

8. Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Texas Tech University

The Bob L. Herd Department of this university is staffed with the most competitive faculty with having at least 15 years of experience. The experience of these teachers is coupled with fundamental engineering and scientific principles in order to make a vital part of the student’s educational candidacy.

9. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (Norman, OK)

University of Oklahoma

In this state, petroleum engineering is one of the top five courses. The school always ensures that graduates are competent once they become petroleum engineers. The 4-year program that the school offers include intensive study of modern-day oil and gas concerns, extraction techniques, engineering methodology, and resource improvement.

10. West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)

West Virginia University

The university’s department provides educational programs for bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees. Aside from blending scientific and engineering fundamentals in their curriculum, they also incorporated oral and written communication, and computer-based applications along with the drilling, production, and reservoir engineering, and stimulation blueprint.

If you really want a bright future being a petroleum engineer, these are the best petroleum engineering schools that you can choose from. Pursuing a your degree with any of these schools is the best investment you can make in your life. All your hard work and sacrifices will eventually pay off.

Which of the best petroleum engineering schools featured here are you interested in?