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Engineering · Petroleum Engineering Rank #3 of 18

Petroleum Engineeringat Montana Technological University

Graduates earn $69,212/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Petroleum Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,047K; scenarios range from $878K to $1,105K depending on AI disruption.

Butte, MT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$69,212
1-year post-graduation
ROI
35.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,047K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Montana Technological University

Montana Tech's consistent ranking in Petroleum Engineering isn't accidental; it stems from a specialized, hands-on curriculum deeply integrated with the energy industry. Employers, particularly those in the Rocky Mountain region and major oil/gas basins nationally, actively recruit from this program, valuing your practical training for roles in exploration, production, and refining. Your robust earning potential reflects the high demand for skilled engineers willing to work in often challenging, but critical, environments.

The noted AI risk highlights the field's technological evolution. Many analytical and data-heavy tasks are being augmented by AI, shifting the nature of the work. You'll increasingly manage sophisticated simulations and interpret complex models, rather than performing purely repetitive calculations. To truly thrive, focus on developing strong data science literacy and an understanding of AI tools alongside your core engineering expertise, positioning yourself as a leader who leverages technology to solve complex energy challenges.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$878K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple27.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,047K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple32.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,105K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple34.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Montana Technological University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Petroleum Engineering graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Petroleum engineers
+1.3% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$141,280/yr
High
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Petroleum Engineering

How Montana Technological University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
74
DW Score
$87K
1-yr earn
25.1x
ROI
Texas Tech University
TX · Public
73
DW Score
$80K
1-yr earn
23.5x
ROI
Colorado School of Mines
CO · Public
67
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
11.5x
ROI
University of North Dakota
ND · Public
71
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
20.9x
ROI
Texas A & M University-College Station
TX · Public
71
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
22.9x
ROI
Also at Montana Technological University

Other top programs at Montana Technological University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Montana Technological University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Petroleum Engineering at Montana Technological University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Petroleum Engineering at Montana Technological University?

This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Petroleum Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Petroleum Engineering careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $878,143 in decade earnings vs $1,105,219 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Montana Technological University's Petroleum Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #3 of 18 programs nationally, Montana Technological University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.