MS in Petroleum Engineering in the USA

Studying MS in petroleum engineering in the USA is a good move, considering the top-ranked institutions in the country along with the lucrative prospects of the field. There is a growing demand for universities in the USA for MS in petroleum engineering and with good reason! Students are interested in pursuing the discipline at globally acclaimed institutions with world-class faculty and innovative curricula. 

Why Study MS in Petroleum Engineering in the USA? 

Studying master’s in petroleum engineering in the USA has several benefits which are listed below:

• Growing job opportunities for skilled graduates in the field in the USA. 
• Handsome average salaries of USD 82,800 (approximately INR 70.38 lakh) for graduates. 
• STEM-focused courses for meeting global knowledge requirements. 
• Three-year work permits are available for students after completing their courses. 
• Opportunities to work part-time during the course. 
• Comparatively reasonable fees with high returns on investments.

Masters in Petroleum Engineering in the USA- Leading Universities

Here is a list of the top universities for studying MS petroleum engineering in the USA and their QS university rankings. 

• The University of Texas at Austin- 2nd rank (QS world university rankings). 
• Stanford University- 4th (QS world university rankings). 
• Texas A&M University- 5th (QS world university rankings). 
• Colorado School of Mines- 19th rank (QS world university rankings). 
• Pennsylvania State University- 25th rank (QS world university rankings). 
• University of Southern California- 31st rank (QS world university rankings). 
• University of Oklahoma- 40th rank (QS world university rankings). 
• Texas Tech University- 43rd rank (QS world university rankings). 
• Case Western Reserve University- 51-100th rank (QS world university rankings). 
• Louisiana State University- 51-100th rank (QS world university rankings). 

MS in Petroleum Engineering in the USA- Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria include the following: 

• Bachelor’s degrees with 2.25 CGPA (minimum) and higher on a four-point scale. 
• GRE examination scores of at least 290 or higher if required by the university. 
• SOP or Statement of Purpose. 
• LOR or Letter of Recommendation. 
• English language proficiency proof- IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL 79. 

Documents Required for MS in Petroleum Engineering in the USA

• Statement of Purpose (SOP). 
• LOR (Letter of Recommendation). 
• TOEFL/IELTS score sheets. 
• Admissions Essay if required. 
• Official academic transcripts and mark sheets. 
• CV/Resume. 
• Passport Copy and Details. 
• Identity Proof. 
• Health Insurance. 

Masters in Petroleum Engineering in USA Fees

Average fees are usually around USD10,000-30,000 annually or roughly INR 7.5-22.5 lakh per year. Leading universities such as the University of Texas may charge roughly upwards of USD12,000 or INR 9 lakh while some like the Colorado School of Mines may charge upwards of USD16,500 or INR 12.37 lakh. Since fees are subject to change, you should keep checking the official websites of the universities where you wish to apply, for updates.

How to Apply?

You can readily apply for MS in petroleum engineering in the USA by directly checking out the websites of leading universities and their eligibility criteria. After taking a closer look at these aspects, you can submit your application and all required documents while paying the application fee. Upon getting shortlisted, the institution may set up a video interview or directly send you the offer letter. You will then have to confirm your admission by paying the fees and applying for your student visa. 

Scope of Masters in Petroleum Engineering in the USA

There is vast scope for aspiring petroleum engineering graduates in the USA. There are various job positions available including petroleum engineers, professors, R&D officers, geologists, and more. 

The scope also includes positions like drilling engineers, completion engineers, oil-drilling exploration specialists, oil-well engineers, production engineers, natural gas engineers, reservoir engineers, and many other options. Graduates may find job opportunities in several fields like geology, drilling, geo-statistics, and more. 

Scholarships for MS in Petroleum Engineering in the USA

There are numerous scholarship options available for students in the field. They include the following: 

• Merit Scholarship- These are available for students with outstanding academic performance in their undergraduate degrees. They are given to those with a robust SOP, explaining their reasons for pursuing any specific course. These scholarships help with tuition fee waivers up to a handsome 75%. 
• Need-Based Scholarships- These are given to those with pressing financial requirements. Students will apply with details of their family income and also test scores and grades. 
• Discounts/Waivers of Tuition Fees- Partial/full tuition fee waivers of up to 75% are given to eligible students under these schemes. 
• In-State Tuition Fees- International students are sometimes eligible for In-State tuition fee waivers if they have good academic track records and scores. 
• Teaching Assistantship- Instead of giving a bursary/grant, these offer stipends and fee waivers for providing services to the institution. This may include teaching undergraduates or assisting with workshops/labs. 
• Research Assistantship- This involves assisting professors with research and grants that come from university/Government/private funds. 
• Graduate Assistantship- This is a specific form of financial aid given to students interested in either teaching or research. This is provided via a stipend every month. 

Masters in Petroleum Engineering Salary in the USA

• Fresh Graduates- USD 82,800 (INR 62.10 lakh). 
• Average Salary Range- USD 70,000-100,000 (INR 52.50 lakh to INR 75 lakh). 
• Average Salary includes bonus, overtime pay and other heads may stand at USD 87,503 per year for up to one year of experience. This works out to be approximately INR 65.62 lakh. 
• Total compensation stands at approximately USD 91,904 (INR 68.93 lakh) per year for early-stage petroleum engineers. 
• They stand at roughly USD 107,142 (INR 80.35 lakh) for mid-career professionals with experience between 5-9 years. 
• The compensation of those with 10-19 years of experience is USD 133,450 (INR 1.08 crore). 
• Compensation with 20+ years of experience usually goes up to USD153,909 (INR 1.15 crore).

Jobs for Masters in Petroleum Engineering in the USA

There are numerous job opportunities for those doing their master’s in petroleum engineering in the USA. Some of the available job positions include the following: 

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

There are several other work opportunities available in oil-well engineering, exploration, geology and more fields. Job opportunities are also projected to witness double-digit growth in the USA over the next few years as per reports, opening up several lucrative avenues for skilled graduates in the field. 

Required English Language Test for Masters in Petroleum Engineering in the USA

Students will have to score at least 6.0-6.5 in IELTS as per the English language proficiency requirements at most universities. Alternatively, they may also submit their TOEFL scores. The minimum score for TOEFL is 79.