Petroleum Engineering at Montana Technological University

Montana Tech's petroleum engineering program delivers strong outcomes, though the numbers come with an important caveat: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these figures could swing significantly year to year. That said, graduates start at $69,212 and jump to $102,453 by year four—a 48% increase that reflects petroleum engineering's trajectory as graduates gain field experience and professional certifications. The debt load of $27,000 is reasonable, translating to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio that's far more manageable than most engineering programs.

The earnings place Montana Tech slightly above the national median for petroleum engineering schools, landing in the 58th percentile. Given that only 24 schools nationwide offer this specialized degree, that positioning is respectable, particularly at an institution with a 90% acceptance rate. The real advantage here is access: Montana Tech provides a path into a high-paying field without the selectivity barriers of flagship universities.

The small sample size matters because it means one bad year could tank these numbers, and one great year could inflate them. If your child is seriously considering petroleum engineering, Montana Tech offers solid economics—low debt, strong earnings growth, and an open-access entry point. Just understand you're betting on both the program and the notoriously cyclical oil and gas industry, which can make job prospects volatile depending on when your child graduates.