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2026 Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Schools
Looking for the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 45 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Mining Petroleum Technology Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat L E Fletcher Technical Community College this year in the United States. This public school is set in Schriever, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,219. Graduates carry a median of $5,396 in student loans. Median earnings reach $32,189 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full L E Fletcher Technical Community College profile
You'll get strong value at Bismarck State College, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Bismarck State College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $13,340 in debt. Bismarck State College alumni report median earnings of $54,277 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt. Read more about Bismarck State College
You'll get strong value at South Louisiana Community College, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Lafayette, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,210. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $12,435. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,432 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,435 median debt. Read more about South Louisiana Community College
You'll get strong value at Navarro College, which ranked #4 this year. Navarro College is a public school based in Corsicana, TX. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,578. Students borrow a median of $13,781 to complete their Mining Petroleum Technology program here. Navarro College alumni report median earnings of $38,716 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Navarro College report
A rank of #5 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values in the United States. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Ivy Tech Community College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $11,889 in debt. Median earnings reach $37,186 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt. Get the full Ivy Tech Community College report
Nicholls State University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Nicholls State University is a public school based in Thibodaux, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $18,987. Nicholls State University alumni report median earnings of $45,454 a decade after entry. Set against $18,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nicholls State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read the full report on Nicholls State University
Stark State College placed #7 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Stark State College is a public school based in North Canton, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete their Mining Petroleum Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Stark State College
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Okmulgee, OK, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $13,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,634 ten years after entry. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee
Pierpont Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Fairmont, WV, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,762, with out-of-state students paying around $13,660. The median Mining Petroleum Technology program debt is $16,268. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Pierpont Community And Technical College profile
Houston Community College landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Houston Community College is a public school based in Houston, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Houston Community College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $31,138 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,254 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $31,138 median debt. Get the full Houston Community College report
Lewis And Clark Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $9,602. Median earnings reach $37,724 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Lewis And Clark Community College report
Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in The Woodlands, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. The median Mining Petroleum Technology program debt is $10,425. Median earnings reach $42,466 ten years out. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Lone Star College System
University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public school based in Anchorage, AK. In-state tuition and fees average $7,738, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Typical Mining Petroleum Technology student debt is $21,787. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,871 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Anchorage
West Virginia Northern Community College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. West Virginia Northern Community College is a public school based in Wheeling, WV. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,706, while out-of-state students pay about $12,698. West Virginia Northern Community College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $11,528 in debt. Median earnings reach $30,162 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on West Virginia Northern Community College
Lackawanna College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Located in Scranton, PA, Lackawanna College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Lackawanna College Mining Petroleum Technology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,000 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Lackawanna College
Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Set in Pleasant Gap, PA, Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The median Mining Petroleum Technology program debt is $11,840. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology
Aims Community College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Aims Community College
Midland College
Midland College landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Midland College profile
Madisonville Community College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Madisonville Community College report
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read more about Southwest Virginia Community College
Butler County Community College placed #21 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Get the full Butler County Community College report
New Mexico State University Carlsbad came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full New Mexico State University Carlsbad profile
Washington State Community College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Washington State Community College report
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. More on Mountain Empire Community College
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Mining Petroleum Technology Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. More on University Of Pittsburgh Bradford
Southwest Mississippi Community College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southwest Mississippi Community College report
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin report
Williston State College placed #29 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Get the full Williston State College report
University Of North Dakota came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of North Dakota
Western Texas College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on Western Texas College
Bossier Parish Community College placed #32 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Get the full Bossier Parish Community College report
Eastern Arizona College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. See the full Eastern Arizona College profile
Vincennes University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Vincennes University
Western Wyoming Community College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Western Wyoming Community College report
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Read the full report on Seward County Community College And Area Technical School
Central Technology Center came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. See the full Central Technology Center profile
University Of The Virgin Islands offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full University Of The Virgin Islands report
Uintah Basin Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Uintah Basin Technical College
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Get the full Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College report
Pueblo Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Pueblo Community College
Rend Lake College placed #42 among the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools in the United States. Read more about Rend Lake College
Coastal Bend College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on Coastal Bend College
Southern University At Shreveport ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Mining Petroleum Technology schools. Get the full Southern University At Shreveport report
Palo Alto College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on Palo Alto College
Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Mining Petroleum Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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