Architectural Engineering Degree in San Bernardino, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architectural Engineering degree analysis for San Bernardino, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$81K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$114K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.8 yrs
in San Bernardino
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Architectural Engineering in San Bernardino, CA Overview
San Bernardino is one of California's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 21,939. Public tuition averages $7,316/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Architectural Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Structural Systems and Building Physics skills. The adjusted starting salary in San Bernardino is approximately $81,120.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$7,316/yr
Private Tuition
$48,781/yr
Room & Board
$13,152/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,226/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Architectural Engineering Salary in San Bernardino (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for San Bernardino's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architectural Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.San Bernardino adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Architectural Engineering ROI Calculator for San Bernardino
Estimate your return on investment for a Architectural Engineering degree using local San Bernardino tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,316 | Private avg: $48,781
San Bernardino avg aid: $15,226/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,872
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$44,720
vs HS diploma in San Bernardino
ROI Payback Period
1.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in San Bernardino
$1,166,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,248,000) minus total education cost ($81,872)
Student Loan Payoff for Architectural Engineering in San Bernardino
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in San Bernardino for Architectural Engineering
California State University, San Bernardino
public
$7,316/yr
$29,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
San Bernardino Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Architectural Engineering in San Bernardino
San Bernardino offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Architectural Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino
Petroleum Engineering
$52K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$52K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$81K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering Degree in San Bernardino — 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 San Bernardino.