Masters in Petroleum Engineering in the USA : Complete Guide

A master’s in petroleum engineering in USA is something that many candidates desire soon after completing their undergraduate program. As per a report in Yahoo Finance, jobs for petroleum engineers are expected to grow 8% through 2030, for a gain of 2,200 jobs. It mentions that the highest-paid petroleum engineers work in Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas, where they earn an annual mean salary of $185,130 (INR 1.3 crore). A master’s in petroleum engineering in the US comes with valuable opportunities for post-graduates.

Universities in USA offer master’s in petroleum engineering as a full-time course of 1.5-2 years. The course deals with the advanced study of several fields of engineering like structural geology, reservoir fluid flow processes, electrical circuit management, and many more. The basic job requirements of a petroleum engineer require designing and developing methods for extracting oil and gas from the earth’s surface.

Why Study MS In Petroleum Engineering From USA?

The study of petroleum engineering in USA has a lot of demand. In a country like the USA, the petroleum engineering industry has boomed and is likely to increase in the upcoming years. 

Just like any master’s degree in engineering, an MS in Petroleum Engineering in USA is not easy. Certain criteria fulfillment is a must and courses could prove to be difficult if students find trouble with subjects like mathematics and science. Universities for Master's in petroleum engineering in USA have always adopted modern and advanced teaching methods. Listed below are subjects that are needed for a Master in Petroleum Engineering from USA.

• English/Language
• Applied Mathematics (I)
• Engineering Mathematics (II)
• Engineering Chemistry
• Applied Mathematics (III)
• Engineering Mechanics
• Engineering Physics
• Computer Programming and utilization

Top Universities In USA For Master’s In Petroleum Engineering

USA universities offer one of the best master’s programs for petroleum engineering. It is the universities in USA for masters in petroleum engineering that rank at the top when compared to the universities in the rest of the world followed by universities in the UK. The top universities in USA for masters in petroleum engineering, programs offered, and course duration are listed below:

University	Course Name	Fees (approx)	Course Duration
University of Texas, Austin	MS in Engineering-Petroleum Engineering	$12,150/year (INR 9 lakh)	1 year
University of Tulsa	MS in Engineering-Petroleum Engineering	$1,349 (INR 1 lakh) per credit during 1 year	1 year
Colorado School of Mines	Master of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering	$16,650/year (INR 12.5 lakh)	1 year
University of Oklahoma, Norman	MS in Petroleum Engineering	$20,468/semester (INR 15.3 lakh)	2 years
University of Southern California	MS in Petroleum Engineering	$2,199 per credit during 1 year (INR 1.6 lakh)	1 year
West Virginia University	MS in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering	$25,340/year (INR 19 lakh)	18 months
University of Utah	MS in Petroleum Engineering	$18,600/year (INR 14 lakh)	1 year

Eligibility For Masters In Petroleum Engineering in USA

The standard eligibility criteria are an undergraduate engineering degree from a reputed university and a minimum work experience of 3-4 years. Students having a history of any backlogs must clear it before applying for any master’s degree in engineering. The entry requirements might differ as per the university. The eligibility criteria for master’s in petroleum engineering at some US universities are provided below.

University of Texas, Austin

The University of Texas, Austin, offers a full 1-year program for master’s in petroleum engineering in USA. 

Eligibility:

•         A minimum of 3.0 GPA is required or a comparable GPA in upper-division work-junior-and senior-level courses.
•         Proof of work after graduation is compulsory.
•         Official test scores are required. Check with the program that you wish to apply to.
•         Other additional programs might be required. Check with the program requirements.

International Students

•         TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based (iBT)
•         IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the academic examination
•         Scores must be sent to the university by the testing agency. Remember, self-reported scores will not be accepted.

University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa is one of the best universities offering master’s degree programs for US students and international students. With an acceptance rate of 41%, the university could be the first choice for most aspiring students and candidates.

Eligibility:

•         A grade point of at least 3.0 GPA and must hold a graduate degree from an accredited university or university.
•         GRE or GMAT score is required, which must be satisfactory.
•         Consider taking a fitness character test for the admission process.

International Applicants

•         Students who do not have English as their first language must take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam. The official copy of the results must be sent to the university.
•         Applicants must submit a certified letter of financial support or a Confirmation of Financial Resources form.
•         Candidates must also submit a personal data page from their passport.

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines is a university that has an acceptance rate of about 40%. It is also one of the best universities to complete master’s in petroleum engineering in USA.

Eligibility:

•         A GRE score for Masters is required where Verbal needs to be at least 139, Quantitative 155, and Analytical 3.0.
•         A GPA score of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
•         TOEFL: 79 out of 120

International Students

•         Selection of international students is done on the basis of their academic work, probability of success, and proficiency in the English language.
•         3.0 average GPA on a scale of 4.0
•         Credentials evaluation report.

Language Requirement For International Students

•         TOEFL scores: a minimum score of 550 in (PBT) or 79 in internet-based test (iBT)
•         A minimum overall of 6.5 on IELTS
•         Pearson test of English with a minimum overall score of 53 with no communicative skills below 50.

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Documents Required For MS In Petroleum Engineering In USA

Document requirements might not be the same for every university as each university might have different criteria. Therefore, candidates should check with the university regarding documents they need to submit before entry. For international students, there might be a lot of paperwork and documents required for them to present at the university. Most documents required to submit must be in their original form, as in the case of international students. 

Some of the most commonly asked documents are-

•         Statement of Purpose
•         Letter of Recommendation
•         Education Loans
•         Student Visa Application
•         Admission Essay Writing
•         Student CV
•         Passport details (for international students)
•         Transcripts (in a sealed envelope)
•         Mark sheets of previously attended institutions
•         Health insurance
•         Identity proof

All of the mentioned documents must be kept ready by the candidates beforehand.

Masters In Petroleum Engineering In USA Fees

The cost structure becomes a crucial factor that needs to be considered for students coming from outside the US. International students require submitting financial documents to their respective institutes and universities. 

The table given below will demonstrate the pre-arrival fees:

Expense	Cost (approx)
Graduate record examination (GRE)	$205 (INR 15,350)
TOEFL	$170 (INR 12,700)
Applying to US universities (prices may vary)	$5,500 (INR 4.1 lakh)
Miscellaneous expenses during application process	$160 (INR 12,000)
VISA	$160 (INR 12,000)
SEVIS fee	$200 (INR 15,000)
Flight tickets	$1200 (INR 90,000)

The table given below demonstrates the primary expenses after reaching the States

Expense	Cost
Tuition fee	$40,000 (average for international students per year) (INR 30 lakh)
Living expenses	$500-$1100 per month (INR 37000-8.2 lakh)
Traveling cost	$1500/week per person (INR 1.1 lakh)

How To Apply?

Almost all universities have adopted online methods for the application process. Official websites of the universities will guide students to register themselves by filling in with basic details along with some application fees. However, candidates must keep in mind that they meet all the eligibility criteria before applying to universities and have all original documents ready. With an average acceptance rate higher than 30%, international students can get a seat at the best universities in the US for MS in petroleum engineering.

Scope of Master’s In Petroleum Engineering In USA

Once a candidate achieves a degree in petroleum engineering, it creates several career paths. The petroleum and gas companies are in need of such engineers.

However, the path of a petroleum engineer is not easy as candidates need to be good at problem-solving, teamwork, numerical and analytical skills, conceptualization skills, and communication skills. Petroleum engineers are required to work on drilling sites. They can also become academicians.

Scholarships For MS In Petroleum Engineering In USA

Financial aid helps aspirants achieve their study abroad goals. Given below is a table showing universities and scholarships that they offer.

University Name	Scholarship
University of Tulsa	59 Barry Goldwater Scholarships, 17 Fulbright Student program grants, 11 Harry Truman scholarships, and 2 US Rhodes scholarships.
University of Utah	Online scholarships, department scholarships, need-based scholarships
Colorado School of Mines	Ramona Graves Endowed Scholarship, Billy Mitchell Scholarship, Bergeson Endowed Scholarship, Poettmann Scholarship Fund, Ching Wu Graduate Fellowship

Masters In Petroleum Engineering Salary In USA

As mentioned in the table given below, some of the best-paying cities for petroleum engineering in the USA.

City	Average Salary In USD
Chicago, Illinois	$191,370 (INR 1.43 crore)
Houston, Texas	$183,190 (INR 1.37 crore)
Beaumont, Texas	$179,240 (INR 1.3 crore)
Dallas, Texas	$177,830 (INR 1.3 crore)
Wichita Falls, Texas	$164,720 (INR 49 lakh)

The average base salary for a petroleum engineer in the US is about $92686 per year. There are companies that offer more than $200,000 per year to petroleum engineers in the US. Below are some high-paying companies after completing masters in petroleum engineering in the USA.

Company Name	Annual Salary (Approx)
Hess Corporation	$260,257 (INR 2 crore)
ConocoPhillips	$187,331 (INR 1.4 crore)
Shell	$150,083 (INR 1.12 crore)
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation	$142,176 (INR 1.06 crore)
Occidental	$142,100 per year(INR 1.06 crore)

Jobs for Masters In Petroleum Engineering In USA

Jobs in petroleum engineering in the USA are likely to increase in the upcoming years, as mentioned above. There are plenty of job prospects. Some of these positions include-

• Petroleum engineer
• Petroleum geologist
• Reservoir engineer
• Production engineer
• Drilling engineer
• Production technologist
• Environmental advisor
• Field engineer

Required English Language Test For Masters In Petroleum Engineering In USA

International students who do not have English as their first language should fulfill the primary English language requirement by appearing for language proficiency tests. Here are the minimum scores needed.

• TOEFL scores: a minimum score of 550 in (PBT) or 79 in internet-based test (iBT)
• A minimum overall of 6.5 on IELTS
• Pearson test of English with a minimum overall score of 53 with no communicative skills below 50.