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Petroleum Engineering at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,325/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Medium (19,800 openings/yr)

ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #18 of 18 Petroleum Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Petroleum Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$487K	$488K	$466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.4x	13.5x	12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.6x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	66%	49%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,232

Out-of-state: $105,248 (4.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$33,060

9% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,000

6.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (4 Year)

$83,781

98% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $42,325 per year, Petroleum Engineering graduates from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology earn below the $64,106 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Petroleum Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Petroleum Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,325 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #18 of 18 Petroleum Engineering programs, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology accepts 54% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,122 in Socorro, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Petroleum Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Petroleum Engineering at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Petroleum Engineering. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Petroleum Engineering careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $466,038 in decade earnings vs $487,222 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Petroleum Engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →