Architectural Engineering Degree in Fontana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architectural Engineering degree analysis for Fontana, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$83K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$117K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Fontana
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Architectural Engineering in Fontana, CA Overview
Fontana, California (pop. 214,547) has 18 colleges offering Architectural Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,423/month. Architectural Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Structural Systems and Building Physics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Fontana is approximately $82,680.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$11,333/yr
Private Tuition
$38,840/yr
Room & Board
$18,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,336/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Architectural Engineering Salary in Fontana (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fontana's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architectural Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Fontana adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Architectural Engineering ROI Calculator for Fontana
Estimate your return on investment for a Architectural Engineering degree using local Fontana tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,333 | Private avg: $38,840
Fontana avg aid: $11,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$121,108
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$45,580
vs HS diploma in Fontana
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fontana
$1,150,892
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,272,000) minus total education cost ($121,108)
Student Loan Payoff for Architectural Engineering in Fontana
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fontana for Architectural Engineering
California Baptist University Fontana
private
$38,840/yr
$155,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chaffey College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Architectural Engineering in Fontana
Fontana offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Architectural Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fontana Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Architectural Engineering Job Titles
Architectural Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$110K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$109K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$101K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$89K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$92K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$87K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$90K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$103K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Fontana
Petroleum Engineering
$53K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering Degree in Fontana — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Architectural Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Fontana.