WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-27% vs national median555 grads tracked

Petroleum Engineering at West Virginia University

Ranked 13th of 15 bachelor's programs in Petroleum Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$90,316
middle 50%: $64,950 – $120,818
Median · 5 years out
$111,311
middle 50%: $86,306 – $156,510
Median · 10 years out
$210,320
middle 50%: $125,925 – $303,948

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Petroleum Engineering (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of West Virginia University's bachelor's program in Petroleum Engineering earn a median $90,316 one year after graduating, rising to $210,320 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 27% below the national median of $152,398 for this field, ranking 13th of 15 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3.5 yrs
≈ $3,702 total interest

Same major at other universities

Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$131,581 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$120,958 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
$120,591 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$115,337 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$112,540 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$108,603 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$101,906 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at West Virginia University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out

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