Petroleum Engineering at The University of Texas Permian Basin

UT Permian Basin's petroleum engineering program produces graduates who start below average but surge past most peers by year four. While first-year earnings of $61,299 trail both state and national medians by roughly 10%, the trajectory flips dramatically—graduates reach nearly $100,000 by year four, a 63% jump that suggests strong industry connections in the Permian Basin oil region.

The challenge is the small sample size (under 30 graduates), which makes these numbers less reliable than flagship programs like UT Austin or Texas A&M. Still, the debt load of $24,500 is manageable relative to that $100K four-year mark, creating a reasonable payoff even if actual outcomes vary. Being located in Odessa—the heart of oil country—likely explains both the initial lag (graduates may start in field positions rather than engineering offices) and the strong mid-career numbers.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty in the data and willing to bet on the Permian Basin's oil economy, this program offers a clear path to six-figure earnings within a few years at an accessible school. Just understand you're getting a regional outcome that could swing significantly based on oil prices and where your child actually lands their first job.