Petroleum Engineering Degree in Anaheim, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Anaheim, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$164K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Anaheim
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Anaheim, CA Overview
Anaheim, California (pop. 350,365) has 19 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,729/month. Although national enrollment in Petroleum Engineering has been declining, graduates with skills in Reservoir Engineering and Drilling remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Anaheim is approximately $58,500, growing to $163,800 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
19
Public Tuition
$6,920/yr
Private Tuition
$37,099/yr
Room & Board
$16,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,487/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
53%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Anaheim (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anaheim's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Anaheim adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Anaheim
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Anaheim tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,920 | Private avg: $37,099
Anaheim avg aid: $11,487/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,550
vs HS diploma in Anaheim
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anaheim
$1,425,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,521,000) minus total education cost ($95,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Anaheim
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anaheim for Petroleum Engineering
Cal State Fullerton
public
$6,920/yr
$27,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fullerton College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Anaheim
Anaheim offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anaheim Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Anaheim
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$91K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Anaheim — 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 Petroleum Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anaheim.