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Petroleum Engineering at The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,299/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,800 openings/yr)
ROI 20.8x earnings multiple (9.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 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 $951K $907K $775K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.8x 20.8x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 9.8x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,616
Out-of-state: $92,848 (9.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,576
16% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,276
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Texas Permian Basin's Petroleum Engineering program produces graduates earning $61,299/yr — within striking distance of the $64,106 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.8x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At #9 of 18 Petroleum Engineering programs, The University of Texas Permian Basin scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $99,276 show a 62% jump from the $61,299 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Texas Permian Basin

A 84% acceptance rate means The University of Texas Permian Basin is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 4,122 students in Odessa, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Permian Basin →

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

Compare this program → View all 18 schools offering Petroleum Engineering →

Petroleum Engineering at Other Schools

The University of Texas at Austin ($86,761) Marietta College ($82,205) Texas Tech University ($80,460) Colorado School of Mines ($77,400) University of North Dakota ($73,821) Missouri University of Science and Technology ($69,670) Texas A & M University-College Station ($69,603) Montana Technological University ($69,212)

Other Majors at The University of Texas Permian Basin

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,681) Mechanical Engineering ($65,167) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($51,109) Communication and Media Studies ($46,203) Psychology, General ($46,009)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Petroleum Engineering at The University of Texas Permian Basin?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Petroleum Engineering field.
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 $775,485 in decade earnings vs $951,272 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →