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Petroleum Engineering at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $49,781/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Medium (19,800 openings/yr)

ROI 26.7x earnings multiple (11.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #12 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	$1,178K	$1,113K	$927K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	28.3x	26.7x	22.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.2x	11.5x	9.6x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	66%	49%
DegreeOutlook Score	68	67	65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,672

Out-of-state: $96,584 (11.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,472

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$110,398

122% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $49,781/yr fall 22% below the $64,106 national median for Petroleum Engineering. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 26.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Petroleum Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,500 in median debt against $49,781 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #12 ranking among 18 Petroleum Engineering programs places University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $49,781-to-$110,398 earnings arc over five years reflects a 122% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 12,269 students in Lafayette, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette →

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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Petroleum Engineering at University of Louisiana at Lafayette?

At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Petroleum Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Petroleum Engineering at University of Louisiana at Lafayette?

The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Louisiana at Lafayette a good choice for Petroleum Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Louisiana at Lafayette's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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