Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Permian Basin

UT Permian Basin's mechanical engineering program is a solid value play for students who can keep their debt low, though you should be aware this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates. At $18,750 in median debt—well below both the state ($23,102) and national ($24,755) medians—graduates avoid the debt burden that can complicate early-career decisions. The first-year salary of $65,167 lags behind Texas A&M and UT Austin grads who start near $80,000, but that 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe less than four months of their starting salary.

What's encouraging is the trajectory: earnings jump 36% to $88,618 by year four, putting graduates squarely in the middle of Texas's engineering market. This makes sense given Odessa's location in the Permian Basin energy hub, where experienced engineers see strong demand. The program ranks at the 40th percentile statewide—not top-tier, but respectable for a regional university with an accessible admissions profile.

The small sample size means these numbers could shift significantly with future cohorts, but the fundamentals work: low debt combined with solid earnings growth in an engineering-heavy regional economy. If your child plans to work in West Texas energy or related industries, this program delivers ROI without the credential premium—or price tag—of the flagship schools.