The BLS reports a median salary of $137,330 per year for professionals in this arena. Students with mathematical and technical abilities who enjoy working mostly outdoors may enjoy a petroleum engineering career.
Online Petroleum Engineering Programs 2021
Search for online colleges by subject.
The oil and gas industry continues to play an important role in global energy supply. Petroleum engineers assume varied responsibilities in the energy industry, depending on their training and professional interests. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveal a median annual salary of $137,330 for petroleum engineers, much higher than the $41,950 median salary for all workers.
Students can now pursue a petroleum engineering degree online at several accredited colleges and universities. No matter how graduates earn a degree in the field, they enter a global professional arena with high income potential.
Top Programs for Petroleum Engineering
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This represents the average net price of attendance for full-time students as gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics. Individual costs may vary. Costs per credit hour may also vary by program or degree.
| Rank | School | Avg Net Price ? This represents the average net price of attendance for full-time students as gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics. Individual costs may vary. Costs per credit hour may also vary by program or degree. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aims Community College | $2538 |
Accredited Online College Programs
Learn More About Petroleum Engineering
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Is a petroleum engineering degree worth it?
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How long does it take to get a degree in petroleum engineering?
An undergraduate petroleum engineering degree typically takes four years to complete. However, factors such as enrollment status and delivery format may influence actual completion time.
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Is there a high demand for petroleum engineers?
Oil prices and supply usually drives the demand for petroleum engineers. The BLS projects a 3% growth rate for jobs in this sector, about as fast as average.
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What degree do I need to become a petroleum engineer?
Entry-level positions in the field typically only require a bachelor’s. Management jobs may require additional certification or an advanced petroleum engineering degree.
Why Get a Degree in Petroleum Engineering?
A well-crafted petroleum engineering degree develops the skills and technical knowledge required in such a challenging professional field. Programs often include case studies, individual and group projects, internship opportunities, and in-depth research. Students learn how to solve a variety of engineering problems through critical analysis and technical evaluation. Enrollees study how to implement safe, viable, and ethical solutions within industry regulations.
At many schools, students pursuing an online petroleum engineer degree follow the same curriculum as on-campus enrollees. Upon completing the program, online graduates derive the same professional benefits as on-campus students.
How Much Does a Petroleum Engineering Degree Cost?
National Center for Education Statistics data show undergraduate students at in-state public schools paid an average of $20,598 for 2018-19. Bachelor’s degree-seekers at private, nonprofit four-year institutions paid $47,541. Both amounts include tuition, fees, and on-campus housing. Students can expect the cost of a year’s enrollment in a petroleum engineering program to approximate these figures.
Online enrollees often save significantly by not paying on-campus room and board costs. For tuition and fees alone, one year of enrollment at a public school came to $9,212 for resident students. Online students at private institutions paid an average of $34,758. Therefore, earning an online petroleum engineer degree could prove more affordable. Students should take note of schools that allow out-of-state online enrollees to pay resident tuition, bringing substantial savings.
Calculating the Cost of a College Degree
Students wanting to compare the attendance costs of prospective colleges and universities can use the calculation tool below. A school’s website often provides much of the required information. Online enrollees should find whether a school charges off-campus students an additional technology fee, which can impact final costs.
College Affordability Calculator
Break down your current financial situation, and receive a college tuition estimate you can afford to pay.
How Much Do Petroleum Engineering Majors Make?
Expectedly, oil and gas companies hire the most petroleum engineers, followed by general businesses, and the mining industry. Industries with the highest employment levels for any occupation usually offer opportunities for career growth and advancement. However, financial investment services companies pay the highest mean salaries for professionals in this arena, at $205,330 annually. Employment services agencies and companies offering credit intermediation and related activities follow close behind, paying $205,320 and $204,540, respectively.
The state where a petroleum engineer chooses to work also influences their professional options and income potential. The states with the highest employment levels in this industry include Texas, California, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Colorado. The following states pay the highest petroleum engineering salaries: New Jersey, Texas, Florida, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Petroleum engineers in these locales earn mean annual wages of $184,560, $169,760, $160,710, $160,150, and $156,390, respectively.
Courses in Petroleum Engineering
Whether pursuing a petroleum engineering degree online or on campus, students gain a fundamental understanding of the basic tenets of science and engineering. Participants receive hands-on training in the latest technology and tools available today. Most colleges and universities offer similar foundation courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics. Schools with specific specialization areas offer additional classes in those arenas.
Engineering programs typically include an internship experience or a fieldwork component. Students develop the practical skills necessary for the workplace through hands-on training experiences.
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Engineering, Energy, and the Environment
The course introduces the petroleum energy field and geosystems engineering through an overview of topics including energy supply and demand, fossil energy exploitation, and subsurface engineering. Students develop an understanding of basic petroleum geology, engineering problem-solving methods, and geologic CO2 storage.
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Properties of Petroleum Fluid
Topics covered include the principles of organic chemistry, properties of hydrocarbon gases and liquids, and behavior of multicomponent mixtures. The class gives learners an overview of materials balance calculations and laboratory phase behavior measurements. Graduates apply the knowledge gained in the course to improve extraction, storage, and distribution methods in the field.
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Reservoir Geomechanics
Participants explore how various conditions and factors impact the real-world practice of petroleum engineering. They study topics such as pore pressure and stress measurement, rock fracture description and analysis, and depletion-induced reservoir formation. Familiarity with these and other topics help petroleum engineers maximize extraction while maintaining safety and productivity.
Certifications and Licensure for Petroleum Engineering
Most states allow petroleum engineering degree-holders to work under the supervision of a licensed engineer. Licensure requirements vary by state. However, some states accept an out-of-state license if the licensure criteria meets or exceeds their own requirements. Petroleum engineers can earn industry-recognized certifications to expand their expertise in a specific arena and increase their career options.
Petroleum Engineering Certification
This Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) program accepts candidates with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a closely related field such as geoscience engineering. Applicants must also show at least four years of experience or training in the field. The PCE credential enjoys global recognition.
Certified Petroleum Journeyman (Level 2)
The National Petroleum Management Association administers five certification levels. The CPJ credential requires passing the initial certification test, completing 42 continuing education units, and possessing two years of experience. Candidates earn continuing education units by submitting experience, education, or training history for review.
Associate Safety Professional
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals requires a bachelor’s in any field or an associate with a focus on health, safety, or the environment. Candidates must show one year of professional experience where 50% of their duties relate directly to worksite or occupational safety.
Scholarships for Petroleum Engineering
Many colleges and universities attract and support STEM enrollees through generous financial aid packages. Petroleum engineering degree-seekers can explore additional opportunities available through state and federal agencies, private nonprofits, and professional associations with ties to engineering.
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Barry Goldwater Scholarships
Who Can Apply: The scholarship accepts applications from students in their sophomore or junior year of a STEM program. Applicants must show full-time enrollment and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Amount: Up to $7,500
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Gus Archie Memorial Scholarship
Who Can Apply: SPE administers this merit-based scholarship, giving preference to students pursuing a petroleum engineering degree. Applicants need an excellent academic record; most recipients belong to the top 3% of their graduating class.
Amount: $5,000
Online Petroleum Engineering Programs 2021
See Our Rankings Methodology
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Aims Community CollegeLocation
Greeley, CO
Tuition$$$$$
Graduation Rate27%
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Aims Community College offers a 2-year program to earn an Oil & Gas Associate of Applied Science degree, which requires 37 credits for graduation. A number of mandatory classes can be completed through the Aims Online Campus. Support for these courses can be found through online tutoring, advising and technical support. Whether students take classes on-site or online, a 2.0 GPA must be maintained in order to finish a program. The Aims Foundation awards over 80 different scholarships to assist in paying for tuition.
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