Petroleum Engineering Degree in Augusta, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Augusta, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$116K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Augusta
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Augusta, GA Overview
Augusta, Georgia (pop. 202,081) has 11 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $848/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 Augusta is approximately $41,500, growing to $116,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$9,540/yr
Private Tuition
$30,837/yr
Room & Board
$9,609/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,269/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
56%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Augusta (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Augusta's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Augusta adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Augusta
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Augusta tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,540 | Private avg: $30,837
Augusta avg aid: $12,269/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,596
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Augusta
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Augusta
$1,002,404
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,079,000) minus total education cost ($76,596)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Augusta
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Augusta for Petroleum Engineering
Augusta University
public
$9,540/yr
$38,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Augusta Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Augusta
Augusta offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Augusta Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Augusta
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$65K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Augusta — 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 Augusta.