Petroleum Engineering Degree in Arvada, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Arvada, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$148K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.6 yrs
in Arvada
Cost of Living
105.5
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Arvada, CO Overview
While Arvada has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Petroleum Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,944/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Arvada is approximately $52,750, growing to $147,700 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Arvada (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Arvada's cost of living index of 105.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Arvada adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Arvada
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Arvada tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Arvada avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,576
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,825
vs HS diploma in Arvada
ROI Payback Period
6.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Arvada
$1,266,924
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,371,500) minus total education cost ($104,576)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Arvada
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Arvada for Petroleum Engineering
Arvada State University
public
$11,667/yr
$46,668 total
University of Arvada
public
$11,617/yr
$46,468 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Arvada Community College
$5,532/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Arvada
Arvada offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Arvada Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Arvada
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
$84K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Arvada — 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 Arvada.