15 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in the World | 2023 Ranking

Petroleum engineering is generally considered one of the most promising careers within the engineering field. Today, about eighty percent of the energy consumed comes from petroleum; with this, we can conclude that petroleum engineers fuel the world.

Moreso, graduates from top engineering schools are in high demand. Those who study petroleum engineering are the most sought after and can expect to be well compensated.

Therefore, if you are interested in pursuing a degree in this field of study, we have made it easy for you. This article has compiled a list of top petroleum engineering schools worldwide.

These colleges are fully accredited and offer programs leading to undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in PE. You can select the option that best suits your career goals.

What Is Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum engineering deals with the exploration, extraction, and production of crude oil or natural gas.

A petroleum engineer or gas engineer determines the most efficient way to drill and evaluate oil and gas reservoirs to determine their profitability.

To become a Petroleum engineer, you need a broad knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, heat transfer, mass transfer, electricity, manufacturing processes, and economics.

Why Petroleum Engineering?

A degree in Petroleum Engineering will enable you to contribute to solving the global challenge of meeting the increased demand in oil and gas industry.

Furthermore, as a Petroleum engineer, you are typically engaged in projecting oil or gas production from reservoirs, and you will be able to head the development and implementation of new technologies for efficient and sustainable production or engage in international high-level research in the field.

In conclusion, enrolling in a good petroleum engineering school is very necessary. The program offers in these schools will help you to exhibit proficiency and excellence in the following attributes.

• Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• You will learn to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• You will be able to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• Ability to develop and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• Use appropriate learning strategies to apply new knowledge as required
• Ability to use Mechanical Earth Modeling tools and techniques to solve problems associated with the drilling and production of oil and gas

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Petroleum Engineering Program?

Petroleum engineering schools offer a wide range of programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Undergraduate coursework typically takes four years to complete, while the postgraduate curriculum takes a year or two.

The training begins with a solid foundation in science and engineering. For 2 years, you can expect to take lectures and basic engineering classes where you are exposed to basic electrical & electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, ICT, and other content relevant to the engineering field.

Graduates of this program will learn how to Evaluate potential oil and gas reservoirs, oversee drilling activities, Design surface collection and treatment facilities.

Furthermore, a master’s in petroleum engineering opens up many potential career paths for individuals in this field. They go into more profound research and gain a broad understanding of the oil and gas formation.

How Much Does It Cost To enroll In Petroleum engineering Program?

The cost of getting a degree, whether an undergraduate or advanced degree in petroleum engineering, is dependent on quite several factors. First is the school and degree option.

Most Petroleum engineering schools charge higher tuition for out-of-state students. However, some schools charge flat tuition regardless of residency.

Another critical factor is the number of programs. A school that offers a more significant number of programs is bound to charge more than that with fewer programs.

In summary, per-credit costs for petroleum engineering graduate programs typically range from $8,206 and $21,661 per year for students in a standard or full-time program.

What are the requirements for obtaining a Masters in Petroleum Engineering?

The primary prerequisite to acquiring a master’s degree in petroleum engineering is the bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or related discipline.

After acquiring your bachelor’s degree and passing the relevant professional exams, you can obtain a Master’s degree. The graduate program is simply a continuation of the undergraduate curriculum but will be more vast and challenging.

In addition, if you possess a master’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, you may decide to pursue a Ph.D. This will launch you into opportunities at the top levels of industry and employment in research or teaching. 

How Can I Apply for A Good Petroleum Engineering Program?

To apply for admission to a top petroleum engineering school, you must visit your preferred school site to view their requirements.

You can acquire the admission form if you meet your school’s requirements. You can do that online through the school website or proceed to campus.

Furthermore, to gain admission into any petroleum engineering graduate school, you are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.

What are the Best Petroleum Engineering Schools In The World?

Below is a list of best schools for petroleum engineering. These schools offer top-quality programs and are well recognized globally.

They also rank in annual publications such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and many others.

Our selection criteria of these schools include but not limited to the following factors.

• Academic reputation
• Accreditation
• Employability Index
• Acceptance and graduation rates
• Number of programs
• Global reputation and influence

We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and contacting individual schools. You will have to read further to get information on the various degree programs offered, tuition info, and program options for these schools.

• University of Tulsa
• University of Aberdeen
• Montanuniversität Leoben
• Pennsylvania State University
• University of Texas at Austin
• Colorado School of Mines
• Polytechnic University of Turin
• Texas A&M University
• University of Oklahoma
• Robert Gordon University
• University of Louisiana
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
• University of Pittsburgh
• Technical University of Denmark
• Missouri University of Science and Technology

1. University of Tulsa

Address: Tulsa, OK 74104
Tuition: $39,521
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering at UT is recognized as the world’s top petroleum engineering school. This school is fully accredited and offers many research opportunities with 21 existing consortia and joint industry projects supported by some of the world’s top energy firms.

Students in this program pursue an education in classrooms, laboratories, design subjects, and field subjects. Coursework is focused on areas of drilling, production, and reservoir engineering.

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2. University of Aberdeen

Address: Aberdeen, AB24 3FX
Tuition: £23,000
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB)

The University of Aberdeen consistently ranks as one of the best Petroleum universities in the world.

The Petroleum Engineering program provides a smooth learning curriculum that gives students a better chance of getting personal coaching lectures.

Students are exposed to Geological field trip to Fife, Scotland, Baker Hughes, visit technical operations facilities, well drilling operations site.

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3. Montanuniversität Leoben

Address: A-8700 LEOBEN, FRANZ JOSEF-STRASSE 18
Tuition: $33,095
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Montanuniversität Leoben is another great petroleum engineering schools in the world. The school offers a variety of degree programs, including undergraduate and advanced programs.

The bachelor’s program focused on all relevant petroleum and natural gas technology areas. Similarly, the master’s program allows students to specialize in one of these core technical areas.

Montanuniversität Leoben also uses English as the primary teaching language, making its excellent reputation spread worldwide.

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4. Penn State University

Address: University Park, PA 16802
Tuition: $17,514(In-state); $31,346(Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Penn State University awards a bachelor’s and graduate degrees in petroleum and natural gas engineering through its energy and mineral gas department.

The programs cover a wide range of courses that give the students an advantage to top Petroleum engineering companies within the states and the world.

Students combine geology, physics, and math disciplines to solve complex problems relevant to society.

All major companies, government agencies, and industries seek graduates from Penn State University.

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5.University of Texas at Austin

Address: Austin, TX 78712, United States
Tuition: $9,806(in-state); $34,676(Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

University of Texas at Austin is a leading research university and offers one of the best petroleum engineering programs in the world.

Students in this program receive a robust education from world-class professors – some of whom have written the books on petroleum engineering.

The department provides state-of-the-art facilities for graduate students to conduct research. Coursework covers big data, production logging, vertical and inclined flow in wells, artificial lift, core flooding for enhanced oil recovery, subsurface environmental remediation, drilling, rock mechanics, well log digitizing and interpretation, and PVT analysis.

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6. Colorado School of Mines

Address: 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401
Tuition: $16,918(In-state); $33,598(Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Colorado School of Mines is a top Petroleum engineering school. ICL Department of Petroleum Engineering ranks consistently highly across several prominent league tables.

The department features an excellent curriculum that provides undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels with skills to serve the world in developing conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources, water resources, and geothermal energy.

Students conduct research to improve resource recovery, advancing technologies to combat environmental problems, such as carbon sequestration and other earth disposal processes, and to foster the socially responsible development of Earth’s resources.

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7. Polytechnic University of Turin

Address: Corso Castelfidardo, 10138 Torino TO, Italy
Tuition: €10,000
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The Polytechnic University of Turin offers an advanced degree program in Petroleum engineering that provides students with fundamental disciplines of the oil industry.

The program curriculum features coursework in areas such as geology and engineering of oilfields, drilling and completion of oil wells, transportation, and processing of hydrocarbons with the aims of training are engineers that can operate profitably and immediately in the oil sector.

At the end of the program, graduates will possess the knowledge necessary to carry out professional activities in various petroleum fields.

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8. Texas A&M University

Address: College Station, TX 77843-3116
Tuition: $17,073
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Texas A&M University is a top-ranked institution. This school is accredited and awards petroleum engineering degrees at different levels.

The petroleum engineering department at Texas A&M is well structured and equipped with modern facilities to provide students with a solid foundation in petroleum engineering fundamentals.

Graduates of this school go on to become productive contributors in the industry. No one will attend Texas A&M and not be proud.

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9. University of Oklahoma

Address: 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK
Tuition: $10,090(in-state); $23,476(out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

The University of Oklahoma is listed as one of the best petroleum engineering schools in the world. This school consistently ranks among the best engineering schools nationally and internationally.

This school awards a degree in petroleum engineering through the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering.

Furthermore, the college is structured with state-of-the-art advanced research facilities to provide students with opportunities to experience the future of the oil and gas industry.

Coursework covers critical concepts in the three primary petroleum engineering specializations: Drilling Engineering, Production Engineering, and Reservoir Engineering.

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10. Robert Gordon University

Address: Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK
Tuition: £5,202
Accreditation: The Energy Institute

Robert Gordon University has an excellent reputation when it comes to engineering programs. The Petroleum Production Engineering ranks among the top PE schools in the world.

This school awards degrees at different levels. Experienced industry professionals support the course curriculum. It combines academic study with talks from energy experts, industrial visits, and practical training in petroleum engineering software applications. 

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11. University of Louisiana

Address: 104 E University Ave, Lafayette, LA
Tuition: $13,428
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The University of Louisiana is an excellent option for individuals interested in a graduate degree in Petroleum engineering. Society of Petroleum Engineers student chapter was named best in the world and North America in the last five years. The petroleum engineering program has grown significantly over the last decade.

The Petroleum Engineering department offers a unique program at different levels that prepare students for an international career, continued education, public service, and lifelong learning . Graduates of this school develop imaginative solutions to real-world engineering problems. 

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12. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Address: Socorro, NM 87801
Tuition: $4,213(resident); $12,127(non-resident)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

NMIMT is one of the most sought after schools when it comes to Petroleum engineering. This school has made a name globally. Graduates of this school are among the highest-paid and most sought after Techies. This has made the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Department to experienced remarkable growth in the student population over the past 10 years.

This Department features an excellent curriculum that allows students to get hands-on experience through the academic program and various summer internships. 

Additionally, the Petroleum Department collaborates strongly with the Petroleum Recovery Research Center (PRRC) in research and education.

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13. University of Pittsburgh

Address: 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Tuition: $27,010(in-state); $45,808(out-of-state)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

According to recent data, the University of Pittsburgh’s Petroleum engineering program ranks in the top twenty in World. UP offers a degree program in Petroleum engineering at different levels.

Students begin their introductory coursework in areas that covers Organic Chemistry, Foundations of ChE (material and mass balances), ChE Thermodynamics, and Transport Phenomena (momentum, mass, and heat transport from micro- to macroscopic scale).

The curriculum allows students to engage in various research activities that give them the experience needed to thrive in the oil and gas sector.

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14.Technical University of Denmark

Address: 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Tuition: 7500 EUR
Accreditation: Ministry of Higher Education and Science

The Technical University of Denmark offers a 2 years master’s program in petroleum engineering.

This MSc program focuses on the safe, innovative, environmentally sound, and economically viable oil and natural gas extraction. The program has a core concentration in Geology, Geophysics, Rock Mechanics, Reservoir Engineering and Process Technology.

Students learn high-level courses in geophysics and rock mechanics, thermodynamic and chemical properties of oil and gases, and their flow in rocks and pipelines. 

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15. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Address: MO 65409, United States
Tuition: $8,568
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The Missouri University of Science and Technology(MUST) is a famous school in the US, so it is recognized as a top petroleum engineering school in the world. The school has a long history of innovation, design, and manufacturing in the state, benefiting aspiring engineers.

This Petroleum Engineering program at Missouri offers students the opportunity to learn skills to use modern engineering tools and techniques to identify and solve technical problems associated with the production and management of oil and gas resources.

At the end of the program, students can identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

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Other accredited Petroleum engineering schools are;

• Xi’an Shiyou University Petroleum Engineering
• West Virginia University
• IFP (Institut Français du Pétrole)
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Stanford University
• China University of Petroleum
• Imperial College
• Texas Tech University
• Heriot-Watt Institute of Petroleum Engineering
• East China University of Science and Technology
• University of Petroleum & Energy Studies Dehradun
• University of Southern California

What Can I Do With A Degree In Petroleum Engineering?

Recent data shows that about 53% of petroleum engineering graduates get employment in oil and gas extraction, 14% provide support activities for mining. 7% work in architectural, engineering, and related services. 6% were involved in manufacturing petroleum and coal products, and another 6% were employed as company managers.

As a Petroleum Engineer, you spend most of your time in offices or laboratories but must also work at drilling sites, often for extended periods. Fieldwork may require extensive travel, including overseas.

In addition, you must prepare to work a significant amount of extra hours while traveling. With a petroleum engineering degree, you can assume the following job positions;

• Geologists
• Geophysicists
• Petroleum Landman
• Drilling Engineer
• Well-log Analyst
• Production Engineer
• Reservoir Engineer
• Facility Engineer
• Safety Engineer
• Environmental/Regulatory Specialist
• Chemical Engineer
• Petroleum Accountant
• Energy Economist

How Much Do Petroleum Engineers Make?

Petroleum engineering is among the highest-paid professions in the world. The median annual wage for petroleum engineers was $137,720 per year in May 2019, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics.

Additionally, the states and districts that pay Petroleum Engineers the highest mean salary are Indiana ($198,590), New Jersey ($194,340), Texas ($169,010), Alaska ($161,290), and Colorado ($153,640).

What is the Job Outlook For Petroleum Engineers?

Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics shows that the Overall employment of petroleum engineers is projected to 3 per cent from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations.

However, Oil prices will be a significant determinant of employment growth. Higher prices can cause oil and gas companies to increase capital investment in new facilities, expand existing production operations, and explore.

Petroleum engineering schools offer programs to prepare students for a lucrative career in the growing oil and gas industry. If you plan to enter this field or advance your careers by pursuing graduate degrees, you must be selective about your chosen program. Our list of top 15 petroleum engineering schools will guide you on the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions On Best Petroleum Engineering Schools In The World

$137,720 per year and $66.21 per hour

Tuition in petroleum engineering graduate schools ranges from $30,000 and $60,000. However, most schools in the US offer financial aid to students.

A graduate from a reputable petroleum engineering school can find job in a variety of Oil and gas industries.

Reference

• Petroleum Engineering: catalog.mst.edu
• The Best Petroleum Engineering Schools Worldwide: interestingengineering.com
• What is Petroleum Engineering?: ou.edu
• 10 Great Value Colleges for a Petroleum Engineering Degree: greatvaluecolleges.net
• World’s Best Universities For Oil, Gas, And Petroleum Engineering: ceoworld.biz
• What is a Petroleum Engineer?: environmentalscience.org

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