Petroleum Engineering leads to a high-paying career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics discloses that the average annual pay of petroleum engineers is $141,280, and this is for those with only a bachelor’s degree. Imagine how much more you can earn when you surpass some of your competition’s education and skill levels.
Earning a master’s degree is one of the best ways to increase income potential and unlock more career opportunities. According to other data from BLS, those with master’s degrees are paid considerably more than undergraduate degree holders and have lower unemployment rates.
If you’re already employed, you can pursue an Online Master’s in Petroleum Engineering degree program. The following five online master’s degrees are fully accredited, have maintained excellent academic reputations, and have high student satisfaction rates.
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Program Overview
| School | Program | Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Standout Program Feature/s |
| University of North Dakota | Master’s in Petroleum Engineering | $798.08 per credit | 83% | Allows students to choose between an MS and an MEng program |
| University of Houston | Master of Petroleum Engineering | – $549.18 per credit hour (resident) – $1069.18 per credit hour (non-resident) | 66% | Offers a highly customizable curriculum |
| University of South California | Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering | $2,424 per unit rate | 36% | Boasts some of the nation’s strongest faculty members and extensive research facilities |
| Texas Tech University | Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering | – $9,804 per year (resident) – $17,512 per year (non-resident) | 67% | Maintained strong and influential partnerships with large industry players |
| University of Kansas | Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering | $795 per credit hour | 88% | – Offers the most affordable flat-rate tuition rate – Offers online students financial aid and scholarship opportunities |
5 Best Online Master’s in Petroleum Engineering
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
Online Master’s in Petroleum Engineering
| Tuition | $798.08 per credit |
| Credit Hour | 30-32 |
The online Master’s in Petroleum Engineering at the University of North Dakota can be completed as a Master of Science (non-thesis) or Master of Engineering (course-based) degree. Either way, you will focus on hydraulic fracturing, re-fracturing, data-driven modeling, shale oil, and seismic analysis. Both degrees also require a faculty-approved design project.
UND offers affordable online tuition rates, including hands-on activities, compared to similar graduate schools. While most courses can be completed online, you may still need to visit the campus for personal interaction with instructors and fellow students.
Featured courses include:
- Advanced Production Engineering
- Data Mining in Petroleum Engineering
- Natural Gas Engineering
- Petroleum Geostatistics
- Reservoir Geophysics
- Seismic Geomechanics
University of Houston
Houston, TX
Online Master of Petroleum Engineering
| Tuition | $579.16 per credit hour (resident) $1,084.16 per credit hour (non-resident) |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
The University of Houston’s online Master of Petroleum Engineering program has a slightly competitive admission process. The program’s non-thesis curriculum is focused on linking classroom lessons with real-world applications through professional development and research opportunities.
In addition to engaging in the core courses, students can customize their learnings and pursue electives of their choosing. Students meet with academic advisors to discuss academic and goals and help them choose which electives align with their career aspirations and interests best.
Before pursuing electives, students must complete the following required courses:
- Reservoir Engineering II
- Well Logging
- Well Drilling & Completion I
- Petroleum Production Operations
University of South California
Los Angeles, CA
Online Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
| Tuition | $2,665per unit rate |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
The University of Southern California, renowned for its prestige, has one of the most selective petroleum engineering programs in the nation. Their online MS in Petroleum Engineering stands out as a highly competitive option. Industry experts and distinguished faculty members lead the program and provide students access to cutting-edge academic and research facilities.
Required courses of the program include:
- Engineering and Economic Evaluation of Subsurface Reservoirs
- Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery
- Porous Media Fluid Flow and Transport Processes
- Well Completion, Stimulation, and Damage Control
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
Online Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
| Tuition and Fees | $9,804 |
| Credit Hour | 30 (with thesis) 33 (without thesis) |
Texas Tech University’s online MS in Petroleum Engineering is a non-thesis option designed for students seeking a tailored master’s degree. TTU is widely known in the engineering field for maintaining strong and influential partnerships with large industry players, which provides students with invaluable networking opportunities and real-world insights.
Although the program is not research-intensive, you can still participate in some of the department’s research areas. Among the most popular areas are Carbon-Zero Hydrogen Production and Fiber Optic Sensing.
You can expect to study the following topics:
- Petroleum Environmental Engineering
- Advanced Formation Evaluation
- Advanced Drilling Techniques
- Advanced Artificial Lift Methods
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Online Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
| Tuition | $795 per credit hour |
| Credit Hour | 30 |
The online MS in Petroleum Engineering offered by the University of Kansas is focused on students who want to develop their research skills and technical knowledge. The curriculum combines courses specific to the field with data science knowledge. It aims to place graduates ahead of the industry’s low-carbon section.
The University of Kansas’ online graduate students qualify for financial aid and scholarships, just like their on-campus peers. It is a very rare opportunity in the realm of online education.
The program’s graduate core courses include:
- Enhanced Petroleum Recovery
- Advanced Reservoir Engineering
- Methods of Chemical and Petroleum Calculations
- Introduction to Flow in Porous Media
Frequently asked questions
Why are Petroleum Engineers Highly Paid?
The average annual salary of engineering occupations is $100,030, placing the $131,800 median salary of petroleum engineers at a significantly higher level. There are several reasons why these engineering professionals are highly paid.
Working conditions
Petroleum engineers’ working conditions are not as glamorous as those of other engineering professionals. Their primary task is to locate oil and natural gasses, which requires them—especially those in their early careers—to labor in the field for 12 to 18 hours a day, six or seven days a week, with very little time off.
Application Requirements
The set of requirements for entry as a petroleum engineer is complex and challenging. Although a bachelor’s degree is often enough for entry-level work in various industries, such as oil, gas, and mining, it won’t make you stand out. Many companies prefer a postgraduate degree in petroleum engineering.
Licensing
Another reason is licensing. Entry-level roles don’t often require a PE license. However, if your goal is to land a job with better pay and more professional independence, you must pursue licensing and specialization, which demands more completing continuing education courses/degrees.
Demand
The United States has limited accredited petroleum engineering departments. Altogether, they only provide a few hundred graduates annually, hardly meeting the demand for new hires that oil and gas companies require to help ramp up new production. Moreover, petroleum engineering faces a wave of retirees and high salaries, making it difficult for schools to attract faculty to start new departments.
What Do Graduates Learn in an Online Master’s in Petroleum Engineering Degree Program?
An online master’s in petroleum engineering is a strategic choice for those interested in advancing their careers in oil and gas extraction. As an online student in an accredited online program, you can expect to have the same core curriculum and requirements as on-campus students. However, you might not be eligible to pursue a Thesis Track.
A master’s in petroleum engineering program explores advanced topics in oil and natural gas techniques’ exploration, extraction, and production. Some of the most common courses you’ll find include:
- Reservoir engineering
- Drilling engineering
- Production engineering
- Computational methods
- Enhanced oil recovery techniques
What are the Most Popular Professional Organizations for Petroleum Engineering Majors?
You can enhance your career prospects by joining professional organizations that provide networking opportunities, industry updates, professional development resources, and access to industry resources. Here are some of the most sought-after ones:
- Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA)
- Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
- Ssszmerican Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, & Petroleum Engineers
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