Analysis
Marietta College's petroleum engineering program stands out nationally, placing graduates in the 95th percentile for earnings despite Ohio having minimal competition in this specialized field. First-year graduates earn $82,205—nearly $15,000 above the national median for petroleum engineers—with manageable debt of $27,000. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.33, meaning graduates earn back their entire debt load in roughly four months of work.
The program's strength lies in its immediate employment outcomes and the technical training needed for an industry willing to pay premium wages. Earnings climb to $88,869 by year four, showing healthy growth despite the industry's cyclical nature tied to oil prices. The $27,000 debt burden sits at the 25th percentile nationally—meaning three-quarters of petroleum engineering programs leave students with more debt—which is remarkable given this field's typically capital-intensive education requirements.
One caveat: this is Ohio's only petroleum engineering program, so the state percentile comparison (60th) reflects a single data point. The national standing matters more here. For families comfortable with energy sector volatility and willing to relocate (petroleum jobs cluster in Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska), this represents a clear positive return on investment. The relatively open admission at Marietta makes this high-earning technical field accessible to students who might not gain entry to more selective engineering schools.
Where Marietta College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all petroleum engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Marietta College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marietta College | $82,205 | $88,869 | +8% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $69,603 | $123,170 | +77% |
| The University of Texas at Austin | $86,761 | $111,635 | +29% |
| Texas Tech University | $80,460 | $106,480 | +32% |
| Montana Technological University | $69,212 | $102,453 | +48% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Petroleum Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Marietta CollegeMarietta | $38,974 | $82,205 | $88,869 | $27,000 | 0.33 |
 The University of Texas at AustinAustin | $11,678 | $86,761 | $111,635 | $17,239 | 0.20 |
 Texas Tech UniversityLubbock | $11,852 | $80,460 | $106,480 | $26,090 | 0.32 |
 Colorado School of MinesGolden | $21,186 | $77,400 | $101,481 | $27,000 | 0.35 |
 University of North DakotaGrand Forks | $10,951 | $73,821 | $86,097 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
 Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla | $14,278 | $69,670 | $91,298 | $28,950 | 0.42 |
| National Median | — | $67,567 | — | $25,875 | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with petroleum engineering graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Marietta College, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 54 graduates with reported earnings and 50 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.