Petroleum Engineering at Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,603/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,800 openings/yr)
ROI 21.7x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 18 Petroleum Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $1,207K $1,138K $946K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.0x 21.7x 18.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.5x 7.1x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$52,396
Out-of-state: $161,312 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,696
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,969
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$125,028
80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $69,603 per year, Petroleum Engineering graduates from Texas A & M University-College Station earn slightly above the $64,106 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.7x 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 22% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,969 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #5 of 18 Petroleum Engineering programs, Texas A & M University-College Station scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $125,028 show a 80% jump from the $69,603 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Texas A & M University-College Station

Texas A & M University-College Station accepts 63% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 59,099 students enrolled in College Station, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas A & M University-College Station →

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

Other Majors at Texas A & M University-College Station

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Petroleum Engineering at Texas A & M University-College Station?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Petroleum Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $945,774 in decade earnings vs $1,206,639 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →