MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is a graduate program that is often offered as a 1-year course though it can extend to 2 years. In order to apply to the top universities for MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or related fields, with a minimum aggregate of 80-82%. The tuition fee for the program can be quite high, with the average cost being USD 44,583 ( INR 36,64,053). However, financial aid and scholarships in USA are available for eligible candidates.
After an MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA, students can explore various career opportunities in the oil and gas industry, including drilling engineers, reservoir engineers, and production engineers. The average salary for graduates is USD 115,199 ( INR 94,65,642). Many reputable companies, such as Marriott International and Cisco Systems, are always on the lookout for talented petroleum engineers to join their teams.
Also Read: Jobs after MS in USA
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Course Highlights
Program | MS in Petroleum Engineering |
Program Type | Graduate |
Program Duration | 1-2 years |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor's degree in a related field |
GPA | 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (80-82%) |
English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL 79-90 |
Tuition Fee Range | USD 19,000 (INR 15,61,000) to USD 65,000 (INR 53,41,000) |
Average Salary | USD 115,199 ( INR 94,65,642) |
Top Employers | Marriott International, Cisco systems, US navy |
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Top Universities
Several top universities in USA offer MS in Petroleum Engineering. The admission requirements along with the tuition fee of those universities is tabulated below:
University | Program | Deadlines | Total Tuition Fees (USD) |
---|---|---|---|
University of Texas at Austin | MS in Petroleum Engineering | Spring Semester – September 1, 2023 | Summer/Fall Semester – December 15, 2023 | 19,320 |
University of Tulsa | MEng in Petroleum Engineering | May 1, 2023 | 42,930 |
Colorado School of Mines | MS in petroleum Engineering | March 1, 2023 | 39,618 |
University of Oklahoma | MS in Petroleum Engineering | Fall: February 15, 2023 (closed) | Spring: September 1, 2023 | 30,750 |
University of South Carolina | MS in Petroleum Engineering | Spring: September 15, 2023 | Fall: December 15, 2023 | 64,652 |
West Virginia University | MS in Petroleum and Gas engineering | Fall: April 1, 2023| Spring: October 1, 2023 | Summer: May 1, 2023 | 45,750 |
University of Kansas | MS in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering | Fall: March 1, 2023 (closed) | Spring: October 1, 2023 | 33,787 |
University to Houston | MS in Petroleum Engineering | Fall: May 15, 2023 | Spring: October 15, 2023 | 24,462 |
Why study MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA ?
Like many other courses, MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA gives the students immense exposure and great skills required to excel in the field. The following are the highlighted reasons why USA can be a great option to study MS in Petroleum Engineering:
- Some of the universities for MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA such as University of Texas and University of South Carolina are among the top universities in the world, according to QS Rankings 2023
- Studying MS in Petroleum engineering gives the students the required skill set to make appropriate decisions regarding Petroleum drilling, mining, evaluations and other aspects as per job requirements.
- The employment growth of 8.3% for petroleum engineers is projected from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than many occupations.
- Around 1,700 job openings for petroleum engineers are projected, per year, for the next decade.
- The petroleum and petrochemical industry ranks 17 in the top paying industries of USA
- The average salary of a graduate of MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is USD 123,723 ( INR 1,01,66,040).
- The graduates are offered different positions in various Petroleum industries including USA Navy, US Army, Marriott International and Cisco systems
- Some of the job roles after graduation are Resource engineer, Petroleum engineer, Petroleum production engineer and drilling engineer.
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Specializations and Syllabus
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is offered as a one-year course. The course mostly includes 30 credit hours. Some of the areas covered in the course are big data, drilling, production logging and brick mechanics. It is mostly offered as MS in Petroleum Engineering though other variations and additions are also seen. It is also offered as a Master of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering.
Some of the core courses are:
- Fluid mechanics
- Thermodynamics of equilibria
- Heat transfer
- Reservoir engineering
- Kinetics and catalysis
Some elective courses are
- Geothermal
- Reservoir performance
- Environment
- renewable energy
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Admissions
Admission to MS in Petroleum Science is based on the academic transcripts submitted. Some universities might require the applicants to mail the documents by post. All the required ones have to be submitted before the deadline.
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA Eligibility
The basic eligibility is a bachelor's degree. Most colleges do not require an engineering degree and an associated discipline would suffice. The minimum GPA requirements have to be met. GRE is required by most colleges.
- Academic Degree- bachelor's in a related discipline with a background in Mathematics
- Minimum GPA-2.75 on a 4.0 scale (80-82 %)
- GRE: Verbal 142 | Quantitative 155 | Analytical 3.0
- English Proficiency Test Score: TOEFL 79-90
- Statement of Purpose/Essay
- Letters of Recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Financial support
- Valid Passport
- USA Student Visa
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Admission Requirements
The academic requirements and documents might vary with the university regulations. The university-specific requirements for MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is given below:
University | Academic Requirement | GMAT/GRE score | TOEFL Score | Additional Documents (Work Experience, Resume, essay, SOP and LOR) |
---|---|---|---|---|
University of Texas at Austin | Bachelor's degree in Petroleum engineering or related disciplines like Science, Math or engineering. | GRE 142 | 79 | Official transcripts | 3 Letters of recommendation | Statement of Purpose | Curriculum vitae |
University of Tulsa | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86 %) | GRE required | 80 | Official transcripts | Statement of purpose | 2-3 Letter of recommendation |
Colorado School of Mines | Bachelor's degree in a related subject of engineering, math or sciences with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86 %) | GRE Verbal 139, Quantitative 155, Analytical 3.0 | 79 | Official transcripts | Letter of recommendation | Statement of Purpose | Resume |
University of Oklahoma | A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university | GRE required | 79 | Official transcripts | Financial proof document |
University of South Carolina | Bachelor's with the study in mathematics | Not required | 90 | Official transcripts | Letter of recommendation | Financial support proof | Resume/CV | Personal statement |
West Virginia University | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale ( 80-82 %) | Not required | 79 | Official Transcripts | Resume | 3 Letters of recommendation | Statement of purpose |
University of Kansas | Undergraduate degree with minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale ( 83-86 %) | Not required | 80 | Academic transcripts | CV | 3 letters of recommendation | Statement of purpose |
University to Houston | Undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering or other engineering discipline | Not required | 79 | Academic transcript | 3 Letters of Recommendation | Resume | Copy of passport | Financial Backing firm | Proof of financial backing |
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Cost of study
The cost of studying MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA includes the tuition fee as well as cost of living for students. The average tuition fee is around USD 44,583 ( INR 36,64,053). The total annual cost of living might come to around USD 22,629 ( INR 18,59,374). Thus the students must have a minimum budget of about USD 67,212 (INR 55,23,818) for studying MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA.
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Tuition Fees
The tuition fees for studying MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA range between USD 19,000 (INR 15,61,000) to USD 65,000 (INR 53,41,000). The average fee is around USD 44,583 ( INR 36,64,053).
University | Total Tuition Fees (USD) | Fee for Indian Students (INR) |
---|---|---|
University of Texas at Austin | 19,320 | 15,87,480 |
University of Tulsa | 42,930 | 35,27,461 |
Colorado School of Mines | 39,618 | 32,55,321 |
University of Oklahoma | 30,750 | 25,26,658 |
University of South Carolina | 64,652 | 53,12,309 |
West Virginia University | 45,750 | 37,59,174 |
University to Kansas | 33,787 | 27,76,784 |
University of Houston | 24,462 | 20,10,409 |
Cost of living in USA
The estimated monthly expenditure and cost of living in USA for an international student is estimated to be 2,448 USD (2 lakhs INR). The following table demonstrates the average annual expense to be expected by an international student in USA:
Expense Type | Average Annual Expense (USD) | Cost for Indian Students (INR) |
---|---|---|
Accommodation and meals | 15,998 | 13,14,519 |
Transportation | 1,618 | 1,32,947 |
Health Insurance | 805 | 66,145 |
Personal Expenses | 4,208 | 3,45,761 |
Total | 22,629 | 18,59,374 |

MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Scholarships
Some universities in USA offering MS in Petroleum Engineering provide scholarships and financial aid to students. Some volunteer agencies also offer this. Students can also support their education through Graduate assistantship programs in some universities. Following is the list of some of the popular scholarships in USA for international students:
Scholarship | Awarded by (private/government/university) | Eligibility | Award Value (USD) |
---|---|---|---|
SAE Phil and Jean Myers Award and Scholarship for Student Achievement and Technical Proficiency | SAE | US resident students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who demonstrate the need for financial support | Variable |
University of Tulsa Financial aid | University of Tulsa | Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | $14,349 |
WVU financial aid | West Virginia university | Students enrolled at West Virginia University | $4,500-5,500 |
KU Scholarships | University of Kansas | Students enrolled at the university in the basis of GPA | $4,000- $20,000 |
Graduate School Fund | University of Houston | Students from state of Texas requiring financial need | Based on the financial need of Student |
Graduate School Stella L. Ehrhardt Scholarship | University of Houston | Students enrolled in masters program at University of Houston | $1,200 |
ServiceScape Scholarship | Government funded | Students enrolled in any college of USA | $1,000 |
If you are a probable aspirant from India, check out the various scholarships and awards for Indian students seeking to study in the USA.
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Jobs and Placement opportunities
Post completion, graduates of MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA can be offered several job roles. Some of these are reservoir engineers, drilling engineers and petroleum engineers. The average salary after MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is around USD 115,199 ( INR 94,65,642).

Profession | Average Salary (USD) | Salary for Indian Student (INR) |
---|---|---|
Reservoir engineer | 164,331 | 1,35,02,708 |
Petroleum engineer | 123,723 | 1,01,66,040 |
Drilling engineer | 103,544 | 85,07,977 |
Petroleum geologist | 112,746 | 92,64,085 |
Petroleum Production engineer | 110,060 | 90,43,382 |
Field Engineer | 76,792 | 63,09,825 |
Chemical Engineer | 101,200 | 83,34,579 |
Process Engineer | 106,111 | 87,39,036 |
Explore: Post-Study Work Visa in USA
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA: Return on Investment
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA offers significant return on investment. The following table gives an idea of the fees levied by each university and their average graduate salary.

University | Total Tuition Fees (USD) | Average Graduate Salary Per Year (INR) |
---|---|---|
University of Texas at Austin | 19,320 | 80,000 |
University of Tulsa | 42,930 | 100,000 |
Colorado School of Mines | 39,618 | 72,492 |
University of Oklahoma | 30,750 | 60,000 |
University of South Carolina | 64,652 | 67,000 |
West Virginia University | 45,750 | 73,000 |
University of Kansas | 33,787 | 72,000 |
University of Houston | 24,462 | 156,370 |
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA v/s MS in Petroleum Engineering in Canada
When it comes to pursuing an MS in Petroleum Engineering, students have several options, including universities in USA and Canada. While both countries provide high-quality education, there are some program differences that prospective students should be aware of before making a decision.
Parameter | MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA | MS in Petroleum Engineering in Canada |
---|---|---|
Top Specializations | MS in Petroleum Engineering | MEng in Petroleum engineering |
Duration | 1-2 years | 1-2 years |
Average tuition fees | USD 40,503 ( INR 33,28,040) | CAD 14,029(INR 8,52,211) |
Cost of living | USD 22,629 ( INR 18,59,374) | CAD 15,000 (INR 9,16,594) |
Financial Support | USD 4,500 to 14,500 ( INR 3,69,754 to INR 11,91,432) | CAD 4,000 (INR 243,222) to CAD 40,000 ( INR 2,432,228) |
Visa | F1 Visa | Students permit |
Average Salary | USD 115,199 ( INR 94,65,642) | CAD 85,494 ( INR 51,93,451) |
Exams accepted | GRE: Verbal 142 | Quantitative 155 | Analytical 3.0 | GRE: Verbal 140+ |
English language proficiency tests | TOEFL 79-90 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL 75-91 | IELTS: 6.5 |
MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is a popular degree program and can lead to promising career opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Students considering this field should research various universities, compare program curriculums and funding options, and evaluate their personal and professional goals before making a decision.
FAQs
Ques. Can I do MS in petroleum engineering in USA?
Ans.Yes, there are several top universities that offer MS in Petroleum Engineering USA. It is offered as a one-year course often comprising 30 credit hours. The students are given expert knowledge of fluid dynamics, reservoir filling, mining, big data, drilling and other related areas.
Ques.Is petroleum engineering in demand in USA?
Ans.The employment growth of 8.3% for petroleum engineers is projected from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than many occupations. Around 1,700 job openings for petroleum engineers are projected, per year, for the next decade.
Ques.Can I do MS in petroleum engineering in USA without GRE?
Ans.Most universities in USA look for a good score on GRE for application to MS in Petroleum Engineering though some might not have a minimum score. However, certain universities offer admission without the submission of GRE scores.
Ques.How much is a petroleum engineer paid in USA?
Ans.Based on the job roles, a graduate in petroleum engineering can be paid varying salaries ranging from USD 77,000 to USD 165,000. The average salary offered for a petroleum engineer is USD 115,199 ( INR 94,65,642).
Ques.What is the average cost for tuition for studying MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA?
Ans.In USA, the average tuition fee for studying MS in Petroleum Engineering is USD 40,503 ( INR 33,28,040). The tuition fees can vary between the range USD 19,000 (INR 15,61,000) to USD 65,000 (INR 53,41,000).
Ques.What is the minimum qualification required to study MS in Petroleum engineering in USA?
Ans. To apply for MS in Petroleum engineering, the applicants are required to complete a bachelor's degree in a related field, with a minimum aggregate of 80%. Most universities do not mandate a background in engineering. Background in any related discipline in math, science or engineering is accepted.
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