Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in Texas

Last Updated on July 26, 2023

The oil industry is one of the most exciting and highest paying careers you could choose, but is very heavy with competition. You need to have a solid footing if you’re going to excel in this field. In the list below we have included some of the most highly respected schools that offer programs in petroleum engineering.

A petroleum engineer searches for gas and oil, then designs new ways to extract such materials from the Earth and make them into usable fuel for consumers. The majority of petroleum engineers are only required to hold a bachelor’s degree in their engineering specialty for entry-level jobs, but some may pursue a graduate degree for advanced research positions.

Right here on infolearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on best petroleum engineering schools in texas, petroleum engineering schools near me, texas a&m petroleum engineering, top petroleum engineering schools in the world, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

What does a Petroleum Engineer Do?

Petroleum engineering is one field of engineering that plays a vital role in the world economy today. As a Petroleum engineer, your major function deals with evaluating oil and gas reservoirs to determine their profitability.

Aside from that, other functions that you will handle as a petroleum engineer includes the following;

• As a petroleum engineer, you can manage the completion of wells.
• During production, you will be responsible for monitoring yield and develop modifications including stimulation programs to enhance it.
• Moreso, you can be responsible for solving operational problems that may arise.
• Additionally, you can examine the geology of future drilling sites to plan the safest and most efficient method of drilling and recovering oil.
• You can make the drilling process safer for people, communities, wildlife, and the environment.
• Then, ensure compliance with best practices, industry standards, and environmental and safety regulations, and contribute to energy independence.
• Furthermore, anything that has to do with the installation, maintenance, and operation of the equipment will also be your responsibility.

Best petroleum engineering degree

A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering requires four years of study. Inside the course, students are privileged to study multiple disciplines. This allows them to become flexible to work on any area of the petroleum engineering field because they have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the task.

Although the best petroleum engineering degree is offered by most prestigious schools, there are other schools that do not have them in their list of courses. So finding the right school is crucial to reaching the goal of becoming a licensed Petroleum Engineer in the future.

The title variation for the best petroleum engineering degree is Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Oil and Gas Production, but they are essentially the same subject. From a bachelor’s degree, graduates can opt to move forward to the Master’s of Science in Petroleum Engineering. Then, there’s a Ph.D. in Energy Resources. 

How to get a degree in petroleum engineering

Before enrolling in a university, the student has to first understand what petroleum engineering is and what Petroleum Engineers do after they graduate. Other than considering the salary, candidates need to think about why they wanted to become Petroleum Engineers. Sometimes, what gets a student through college without giving up is his/her reason for being there.

The candidate/student has to also choose a university he/she wishes to enroll in. Next, the student selects the courses that fits his/her career needs and aspirations.

You’ll then embark on a journey to complete all required subjects in order to graduate. This is followed by licensure exams to qualify the candidate for getting a professional engineering (PE) license. 

Careers you can take up with a Petroleum Engineering Degree

Petroleum engineering has different areas of specialization. And these areas determine to a large extent, your roles and duties. That means, as a Petroleum engineer, you can specialize in a particular aspect of drilling operations like;

Production Engineers

Production engineers monitor production and figure out how to coax more out of an under-producing well.

Completion Engineers

Then, completion engineering. This is another career that plays a major role in the petroleum engineering field. As a Completions Engineer, you will decide the best way to finish building a well so that the oil or gas flows upwards from the ground.

Drilling Engineers

Another type of petroleum engineering career you can focus on is working as a Drilling engineer. These sets of engineers make research to find out the best way to drill a particular well so that it’s economically efficient and safe for people and the environment.

Reservoir Engineers

As a Reservoir Engineer, you will determine the best way to recover the most oil or gas from a particular deposit, and estimate how much that will be. 

Why Study Petroleum Engineering in Texas?

Texas is a state in the South Central Region of the United States known as the second-largest U.S. state both by area and population. 

And the United state of America been known as one of the top countries that when it comes to the production of oil, it’s among the big heads.

Also, petroleum engineering is one aspect of engineering that pays well. You know, the petroleum industry is a high profile and incredibly important sector which rewards its professionals very well.

Now, imagine studying in one of the biggest states in a country that is well-known as one of the top countries with the highest oil production. That means getting a job with a fat salary can’t be an issue.

In addition to the financial rewards, by working in petroleum engineering in Texas, you will be on the front line of an industry that is literally powering the world and doing so with the environment as a priority at all times.

Moreso, studying petroleum engineering in texas can open you to wider job opportunities. You can work in many other countries and anywhere. Believe me, the petroleum engineering sector is one sector that has lots of career options to consider. 

Petroleum Engineers Salary in Texas

As of May 2012, the average wage a petroleum engineer received according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was $130,280 annually.

The table below gives a rundown of some of the petroleum engineers’ salaries as of 2012.

Specifically in Texas, there was total employment of 19,660 in just the petroleum engineering field. The starting salary was about $105,870 while the median average salary was $143,210.

According to indeed.com, The average salary for a petroleum engineer is $81,614 per year in Texas as of June 2020.

Careerexplorer.com also gave an estimate of what each petroleum engineer earns based on levels.

Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in Texas

#1. Texas A&M University- Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering

Address: 3116 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-3116

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 79%
No of Programs: 4

Texas AM University, formerly known as Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, Texas A&M University is an educational institution in Texas. It is also known as the fourth-largest university in the United States and the largest university in the state of Texas.

This university offers engineering programs that are globally recognized to both national and international students.

 Basically, it offers 4 petroleum engineering programs which includes

• Master of Science
• Master of Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Bachelor of Science

In addition to the programs, the school also offers an Online Master of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering which will be more beneficial if you are considering the distance.

The university Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering provides these programs with the core aim of providing petroleum engineering students with a solid foundation in petroleum engineering fundamentals.

However, the students are taken through classes that enhance their skills and knowledge in building their careers.

Furthermore, enrolling in a program in this school will help prepare you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and operational evaluation of systems.

These will be in the areas of locating, extracting, processing, and refining crude petroleum and gas.

#2. The University of Texas at Austin

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Graduation Rate: 79%
Accreditation: ABET
No of Programs: 3

Next on our list is the University of Texas at Austin. This university is one of the most prestigious universities in Texas that is globally recognized.

This university offers various degree programs in different fields that petroleum engineering is among.

Hence, the university’s petroleum engineering department known as the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (PGE) is fully recognized as one of the best-Accredited petroleum engineering schools in texas.

 Basically, this accredited petroleum engineering school offers 3 petroleum engineering programs which includes

• Master of Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Bachelor Degree

As a student who wants to study in this department, you can major in either Petroleum Engineering or Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology.

Moreso, you will have many opportunities to develop their petroleum engineering skills and knowledge outside of the classroom, including student organizations, camps and internships with industry.

In addition, you will acquire skills and exceptional knowledge that can help you to make an impact on society by finding solutions to our greatest energy issues. 

In 2018, the department had an undergraduate student enrollment of 79. Note, this School of Engineering in Texas undergraduate programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Committee of ABET.

#3. Texas Tech University

Address: 807 Boston Ave, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 60%
Accreditation: ABET
No of Programs: 4

Are you a student passionate about building an exceptional career in petroleum engineering and you want to do that all it takes in Texas, going to Texas Tech. This university is a prestigious public research university founded in 1923.

When talking about general enrollment, the university has one of the largest student enrollments in Texas.

Also, it offers a variety of degree programs which undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a different fields which petroleum engineering is among.

Basically, the Texas Tech petroleum engineering school known as Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in petroleum engineering.

However, these programs can teach you as a student the foundational disciplines of mathematics, science, geology, physics, and chemistry.

There will also be industry-specific training in the following areas Well Development Well Drilling Production Engineering Transportation of Natural Resources

Currently, the department has a student enrollment in its undergraduate program and 59 students in its graduate program.

#4. Texas A&M University – Kingsville

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 32%
Accreditation: ABET
No of Programs: 5

Making Texas A&M University–Kingsville your study destination won’t really be a bad idea if you are looking for an accredited petroleum engineering school in Texas.

Texas A&M University–Kingsville is among the best-accredited schools in Texas that offer petroleum engineering programs.

This is a public research university in Kingsville founded in 1989.  This university offers degrees in agriculture, engineering, and the sciences in addition to select programs in the humanities.

It features state-of-the-art facilities including an active farm for its agricultural students.

This university department of petroleum engineering known as the Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering provides Natural Gas or Chemical Engineering programs to its students.

Basically, this department offers 5 Petroleum Engineering Degree programs which include;

• BS – Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering
• M – Minor in Petroleum Engineering
• MS – Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
• MEng – Master of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering
• Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Engineering

Some of their notable courses include; Geology of Petroleum Reservoir Fluids Transport Processes in Petroleum Production Well Testing

Here, you will have access to chemical laboratories and drilling facilities alike and progress through a broad-based curriculum that will prepare them for a number of career options.

#5. University of Houston

Address: 5000 Gulf Freeway Bldg 9, Room 219 Houston, 

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Graduation Rate: 56%
Accreditation: ABET
No of Programs: 3

Next on our list of best petroleum engineering schools with full accredited degree programs in Texa is the University of Houston.

This university is an educational institution Houston TX is an educational institution that is globally recognized and respected for its excellent academic performance.

Generally, this university offers nearly 300 degree programs and awards over 9,000 degrees annually, including doctoral and professional programs, and boasts over 40 research centers and institutes on campus that contribute to its reputation or excellence in research.

Cullen College of Engineering is a college in the university that houses the Department of Petroleum Engineering. It has a  total of 306 Undergrad Students in the Department.

Basically, at the school, the department offers incrediable degree programs in the petroleum engineering field wich is aimed at equipping its students with all it takes to fit into the full spectrum of career opportunities.

In addition, this accredited texas school offers both a major and a minor in petroleum engineering as well as masters and doctoral degrees in the field.

That means, with the knowledge and skills you will gain, you can work large multinational corporations or smaller independent oil companies, or even opportunities for the development of new companies and enterprises.

You will also be trained in drilling, petrophysics, production, reservoir engineering, geoscience, and economics. Some of the available programs are  

• Bs
• B.S.P.E.T.E.
• M.P.E. 
• M.S. 

Interstingly, you can also get any of the Departmental scholarships or Merit-based scholarships offered through the petroleum engineering program if you do well.

#6. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Address: 4901 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762, United States

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 56%
Accreditation: ABET
No of Programs: 1

University of Texas of the Permian Basin is another accredited university in Texas that is ranked as one of the schools with the best petroleum engineering programs in Texas.

Founded in 1973 with a system known as the newest member of the University of Texas system has a total student enrollment of 6,000 students.

At this university, there are a variety of degree programs in different field like science, computer, engineering, and information systems that students from any part of the world can apply for.

However, this university school of engineering houses the department of petroleum engineering which offers undergraduate programs in the field.

Basically, this program is a broad-based discipline primarily concerned with the development, exploration, conservation and transportation of oil and gas resources.

As a student, you will be expose on how to make plans related to petroleum engineering including how to supervise drilling and well-completion programs, design and select drilling and production equipment, estimate reserves and manage oil and gas properties.

Also, you will get intentional broad training in the industry that can build your expertise in areas like Resource Development, Exploration, Conservation, and Transportation.

Furthermore, you will gain hands-on experience in drilling, well engineering, equipment operation, reserve estimation, and property management.

Top Petroleum Engineering Schools in the World

1. University of Tulsa

• Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

University of Tulsa’s McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering is recognized as one of the best petroleum engineering schools in the world. A wide array of graduate and undergraduate degree programs are offered, with its B.S. program being accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The Bachelor’s degree is usually completed in 4 years, from introductory courses on mathematics and physical sciences to more advanced courses such as drilling engineering and petroleum economics. Students from other areas of study may also learn more about Petroleum Engineering through the school’s Minor degree program.

2. University of Texas at Austin

• Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

With about 700 applicants yearly, University of Texas is one of the sought-after schools of aspiring petroleum engineers. The school’s fully accredited programs and exceptional curriculum, faculty, and research are anchored on its almost 90 years of experience.

Students are given opportunities like extensive training, internships, international studies, and student organization memberships. The school’s leading-edge facilities and laboratories further enhance students’ overall learning experience.

3. University of Aberdeen

• Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Master’s

The University of Aberdeen is the only school with an undergraduate Petroleum Engineering program in Scotland. The school offers a Bachelor’s (BEng) and Master’s (MEng) degree program in the field, which takes 4 and 5 years respectively. Students who meet the requirements may choose to move from BEng to MEng and vice versa until the second half of Year 4.

Their curriculum is designed to equip students with knowledge on all engineering areas until their second year, which makes students of this excellent petroleum engineering institution more flexible in their careers.

4. Technical University of Denmark

• Degree Offered: Master’s

Another school known for its program in Petroleum Engineering is the Technical University of Denmark. The school offers a Master of Science or MSc degree with a period of 2 years, although this can be prolonged to 4 years for those who are working while studying.

Applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences. The program has 2 specializations that students can choose from, and these are Reservoir Engineering and Reservoir Geophysics.

5. Texas A&M University

• Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

Texas A&M is an excellent university for petroleum engineering. As of 2021, they have a total of 333 undergraduate and 140 graduate students enrolled in the program.

This program aims to generate successful petroleum engineers and leaders, while actively contributing to the field’s technological advancements with their research.

6. University of Oklahoma

• Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

University of Oklahoma is another one of the best petroleum engineering schools in the world and offers multiple engineering programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation of ABET. The Bachelor’s degree of the program requires 127 credits to be completed in about 4 years. Students can also enroll in an accelerated program, wherein they can complete their B.S. Petroleum Engineering degree and M.S. in Petroleum Engineering or Business Administration at the same time.

The school is also known for its student organizations and mentorship opportunities. This gives students an avenue to engage with other petroleum engineering professionals, and increase their network in the industry.

7. Montanuniversität Leoben

• Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

One of Austria’s top universities for petroleum engineering is Montanuniversität Leoben, known for being very exclusive and providing great attention for each student. Learners’ experience is optimized by the small student-to-faculty ratio, where top scientists and faculty are able to give them ample and more focused guidance.

With the school’s 85% employment rate upon graduation, its comprehensive petroleum engineering program is a good foundation for aspiring engineers. To prepare them for their career, first off is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. This consists of 6 semesters for a period of 3 years. The school offers many graduate programs as well including its double degree or Joint International Master in Petroleum Engineering.