Mining & Petroleum Technology at Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
60
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,842/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (20% exposed)
Job Market Medium (12,400 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (17.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 1 Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $636K $630K $594K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.4x 19.3x 18.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 17.2x 17.0x 16.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 51% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 60 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,692
Out-of-state: $37,064 (17.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,364
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,417
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,690
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,842/yr, Mining & Petroleum Technology graduates from Nicholls State University land near the $52,842 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mining & Petroleum Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mining & Petroleum Technology's typical career paths, with 20% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $17,417 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

This program is one of 1 schools offering Mining & Petroleum Technology in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

Earnings grow from $52,842 to $71,690 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Nicholls State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, Nicholls State University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 4,772 in Thibodaux, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Nicholls State University →

Top Career Paths

Gas plant operators $83,400/yr
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390/yr
Service unit operators, oil and gas $57,980/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Other Majors at Nicholls State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mining & Petroleum Technology at Nicholls State University?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mining & Petroleum Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What makes Nicholls State University's Mining & Petroleum Technology program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 1 programs nationally, Nicholls State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →