Petroleum Engineeringat University of Kansas
Graduates earn $42,865/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Petroleum Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $966K; scenarios range from $819K to $1,016K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Kansas
The outcomes for KU's Petroleum Engineering program reflect the highly cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry, where hiring and salaries fluctuate significantly with global energy prices. While Kansas has some regional energy activity, it's not a primary recruiting ground for major multinational corporations like those in Texas or Oklahoma. This means you might face a tougher climb to secure roles with the largest, highest-paying employers that often funnel graduates from programs closer to major industry hubs.
Graduates here often find positions with smaller independent operators, in related fields, or may need to be more aggressive in their job search, extending far beyond the Midwest. The high AI risk also signals a future where traditional petroleum engineering tasks are increasingly automated, demanding a strong aptitude for data science and analytics. Before committing, rigorously pursue internships, even if it means relocating, to build a network and diversify your skill set for a resilient career in the evolving energy sector.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Kansas's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Petroleum Engineering
How University of Kansas stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Kansas
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Kansas, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Petroleum Engineering at University of Kansas
How does University of Kansas's Petroleum Engineering program score?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Kansas trails the majority of Petroleum Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Petroleum Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Petroleum Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Petroleum Engineering earnings lower at University of Kansas?
Lower starting pay at University of Kansas may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.