Petroleum Engineering at University of Tulsa

With $27,000 in debt and estimated first-year earnings around $68,000, this petroleum engineering program starts with a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio—but the trajectory is what really matters here. By year four, graduates at this institution earn $105,280, a substantial jump that reflects petroleum engineering's reputation for strong mid-career compensation. That four-year figure sits well above what similar programs in Oklahoma typically produce (around $61,000), suggesting Tulsa's program may offer meaningful advantages in job placement or employer connections.

The catch is that first-year estimate of $68,000 comes from national peer programs, not actual outcomes for Tulsa graduates specifically. With only two petroleum engineering programs in Oklahoma and limited reported data, we're working with educated guesses about the early career picture. The debt level is real and reasonable—placing in the 25th percentile nationally means most petroleum engineering graduates carry more—but matching that to estimated starting salaries requires some faith.

The four-year earnings figure provides the clearest signal: graduates from this program are landing positions that pay well into six figures. For families willing to accept some uncertainty about the first year or two, that mid-career outcome combined with relatively modest debt makes this a plausible investment, particularly if your student has strong aptitude for engineering and can tolerate the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry.