Odessa is oil country. UT Permian Basin sits in the middle of one of the biggest oil and gas fields in the United States, and its petroleum engineering and business programmes lean on that. It opened in 1973 and is one of the smaller campuses in the University of Texas system, with low tuition and plenty of online options for local students. For international students, the main draws are engineering, computer science and the MBA.
Odessa, Texas, United States
Official website: utpb.edu
1973
University of Texas
Permian Basin, West Texas
Public university
$16,000 – $20,000
International students, full-time, approximate
$11,000 – $15,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on utpb.edu before you apply.
BS Petroleum Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Petroleum engineering in the middle of a major oilfield.
Low University of Texas tuition.
Small classes and easy access to lecturers.
Engineering graduates join oil and gas operators and service companies in Midland and Odessa.
Business graduates work in energy finance, accounting and operations.
STEM graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Odessa is a flat, dusty West Texas city built on oil. Energy jobs pay well, and rent rises and falls with the oil price.
Summers are hot and dry. Midland and the regional airport are about twenty minutes east, and a car is almost essential.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
UTPB reviews international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by about June for fall and October for spring to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
Programmes start in fall (August) and spring (January), with some summer options.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, University of Texas Permian Basin issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Petroleum engineering, computer science and the MBA are popular with international students. Undergraduates need secondary school results and IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 61. Master's programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79.
UTPB offers some scholarships for international students, and certain awards can reduce out-of-state tuition. Ask the admissions office about current options.
