| Rank | School | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, North Dakota | 99 |
Petroleum engineering is the ideal engineering concentration for those with an interest in the exploration, drilling, and production of oil and natural gases. Earning an online bachelor’s in petroleum engineering degree can provide you with both the skills and credentials to become part of a highly lucrative fossil fuels industry.
Your study will combine basic engineering principles with a focus on the location and extraction of petroleum from the earth’s subsurface. Your engineering bachelor’s degree program will include a foundational education in relevant STEM subjects like physics and calculus alongside practical courses on the technology, economics, and regulations that shape today’s energy sector. Earning your bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university degree program is an important basic threshold on your way to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
Learn more about Programmatic Accreditation for online bachelor’s degrees in engineering.
Find out how you can become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
Focusing your online engineering degree program on the petroleum engineering concentration will help prepare you for an array of exciting career prospects, including geoscientist, mining engineer, or drilling engineer.
Earning your petroleum engineering degree online provides a convenient, flexible and accessible way to balance the pursuit of your undergraduate degree with your existing career and personal responsibilities. Bear in mind that many online bachelor’s degree programs may include a practicum or laboratory requirements, which could necessitate you to meet in-person once or several times during a semester. Be aware of any such requirements as you search for the right online engineering bachelor’s degree program.
Learn more about the benefits of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
These programs were ranked with eight factors: student-to-faculy ratio, degrees-awarded-in-field ratio, graduation rate, retention rate, percentage of online students, concentrated influence, desirability, and exclusivity. The program's cost grade is determined by the average in-state tuition levels and its percentile distribution compared to other online engineering institutions. Learn more about our methodology
The Best Online Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering Ranking
University of North Dakota
College of Engineering and Mines
| Degree | Credits Needed | Completion Time |
|---|---|---|
| BS - Petroleum Engineering | 129 | 4 years on-campus/6 years on-line |
| Key Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | 13,581 (25% fully online) |
| Public or Private | Public |
| Number of Online Engineering Programs | 31 |
| Accreditation | Regional: Higher Learning Commission |
| Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition | $9,736 per year |
| Average Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition | $15,895 per year |
| Source: National Center for Educational Statistics | |
| Family Annual Income | Cost |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $11,092/year |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $11,916/year |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $15,109/year |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $17,409/year |
| $110,00+ | $17,781/year |
| Source: National Center for Educational Statistics | |
Online Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering FAQ
What Courses Will I Take With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering?
In addition to introductory courses on core engineering principles and foundational STEM courses like physics and calculus, your degree in petroleum engineering will likely include some of the following courses:
- Petroleum Geology
- Computing in Petroleum Engineering
- Well Completions
- Properties of Petroleum Fluids
- Transport Phenomena in Geosystems
- Resource Economics and Valuation
What Industries Can I Work In With an Online Bachelor’s Degree In Petroleum Engineering?
A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering could be a pathway into a variety of industries, including:
- Geology
- Energy Production
- Technology Development
- Drilling
- Oil Exploration
What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering?
This versatile engineering degree can open the door to a number of exciting career options. With a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, you could:
- Operate drilling technology
- Survey land for drilling opportunities
- Monitor safety of offshore drilling facilities
- Assess oil well log data
- Provide quality assurance for drilling operations
Online Bachelor's in Engineering FAQ
Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Fully Online?
You can earn a bachelor's degree in engineering online. However, you'll want to make sure that your online bachelor's degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Only degrees from ABET-accredited institutions will be viewed as credible by employers, professional associations, scholarly journals, and others.
To learn more, find out what you can do with an online bachelor's degree in engineering.
What Kind of Accreditation Do I Need for an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?
Accreditation is important in higher education, but it takes on added importance in certain fields. Engineering is one of them. Engineering accreditation is actually an essential requirement if you plan to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). So in addition to seeking out a college or university with accreditation from a Department of Education-recognized accreditor, you should also seek out a school with an engineering program that has earned programmatic accreditation. In the engineering field, programmatic accreditation must be granted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in order for the resulting degree to confer licensing eligibility.
To learn more, check out our Guide to Programmatic Accreditation for Engineering.
What Kinds of Online Bachelor's in Engineering Degrees Are There?
- Bachelor of Science Engineering (B.Sc.Eng.)
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
- Bachelor of Engineering Science (B.Eng.Sc.)
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.)
- Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)
How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?
The typical online bachelor's degree in engineering will require you to earn 120 credits. For full-time students, this can typically be completed over the course of four to six years. Part-time students who are balancing their online education with job responsibilities and commitments to home and family may require longer.
If you're interested in bundling your online bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering into a single program, learn more about Accelerated 4+1 Online Engineering Degree Programs here.
What Are Some Important Engineering Societies?
Engineering societies are an essential part of the engineering discipline and professional sector. In addition to the numerous benefits that these professional associations provide to members, many of the leading engineering societies also play a direct role in granting accreditation to degree programs and awarding licenses to professional engineers. It's a good idea to become familiar with the engineering societies, professional associations, and student-run groups that represent the engineering field. This can be especially appealing if you're working toward an online engineering degree. The following are some noteworthy professional engineering societies:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET)
- American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
- Order of the Engineer
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- Society of Women Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
For a closer look, check out our Guide to the top Professional Engineering Associations.
Career Information
Petroleum Engineer Career Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a petroleum engineer career requires a bachelor's degree for entry into the field.
| Percentile | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Mean | $75 per hour |
| Tenth Percentile | $38 per hour |
| Twenty-Fifth Percentile | $51 per hour |
| Fiftieth Percentile (Median) | $66 per hour |
| Seventy-Fifth Percentile | $93 per hour |
| Ninetieth Percentile | none provided per hour |
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Mean | $156,780 |
| Tenth Percentile | $79,270 |
| Twenty-Fifth Percentile | $107,020 |
| Fiftieth Percentile (Median) | $137,720 |
| Seventy-Fifth Percentile | $193,430 |
| Ninetieth Percentile | none provided |
| Measurement | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2019 Employment | 33,400 people |
| 2029 Employment | 34,400 people |
| Employment Percent Change from 2019 to 2029 | 3% |