I am interested in mechanical and petroleum engineering equally. I have a good chance of being able to go to Stanford, and I have automatic admission at A&M. My question is whether I would be able to make more money with a mechanical degree from Stanford or with a petroleum degree from A&Mac.
Please don’t say it shouldn’t be about the money.
Why do you think you have a “good chance” of getting into Stanford? Do you have a parent who works/teaches there?
It shouldn’t be about the money.
For the purpose of the question, it is easier to answer under the assumption that acceptance is not a factor
There is a reason I am asking, before answering your question.
Except it’s not easy to answer in any sense of the words “easy” or “answer”. There are so many factors that go into what you will be paid, the two greatest of which are probably the industry in which you work and the location. Stanford grads will tend to be more likely to be located in the Bay Area (and California) where salaries are incredibly high but so is the cost of living (and of course there is a market for Stanford grads all over the country as well). Texas A&M graduates are much more likely to stay in Texas, where salaries are lower in general, but so is the cost of living. So in that sense, it doesn’t matter solely what you get paid. It matters what you get paid and where you live and the sorts of things you like to buy with your money.
Then there is the issue of industry. The petroleum industry has the reputation for paying exorbitant sums, even to new employees. However, you may have noticed that the industry isn’t doing so well right now, so not only will it be tougher to get a job in that industry, but it will also not necessarily command quite the level of premium salary that it did 5 years ago. Mechanical engineers, by comparison, work in nearly ever major industry (including petroleum) and their pay can vary quite a bit depending on which industry and where they live.
So I repeat, it shouldn’t be about the money. You can’t hardly predict that anyway unless you know exactly what industry you hope to join and where you want to live.
Well said, @boneh3ad. You partly addressedf what I was going to say. But would still like an answer to my question so can answer the OP’s.