Petroleum Engineering at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's petroleum engineering program shows a trajectory that should capture attention: graduates start at $49,781—well below both national and state medians—but quadruple their earnings within four years to over $100,000. This 102% earnings jump is dramatic, but that low starting point is meaningful. Even within Louisiana's small petroleum engineering market, this program ranks at just the 40th percentile, trailing LSU's $56,605 median by about $7,000.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $22,806, graduates carry nearly $3,000 less than the national median for petroleum engineering programs, and the 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio means the debt is manageable even with those modest starting salaries. With 89% of applicants admitted and 39% receiving Pell grants, UL Lafayette serves a different student population than elite engineering schools, and the relatively light debt load reflects in-state tuition advantages.

The key question is what explains that four-year earnings surge. If it reflects career advancement in Louisiana's oil and gas sector, this represents solid long-term value despite the slow start. But petroleum engineering salaries are notoriously cyclical with commodity prices, and a moderate sample size means a few high earners could skew results. For students committed to the industry and wanting to stay in Louisiana, the combination of low debt and strong mid-career potential justifies this choice—just expect to earn your way up rather than starting at the top.