Petroleum Engineering Degree in Bellevue, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Bellevue, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$89K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$250K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Bellevue
Cost of Living
178.5
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Bellevue, WA Overview
Bellevue, Washington (pop. 151,854) has 6 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 178.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $3,300/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 Bellevue is approximately $89,250, growing to $249,900 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$18,115/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,339/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Bellevue (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bellevue's cost of living index of 178.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Bellevue adjustment factor: 1.78x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Bellevue
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Bellevue tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Bellevue avg aid: $12,339/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$119,660
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$26,775
vs HS diploma in Bellevue
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bellevue
$2,200,840
Lifetime earnings premium ($2,320,500) minus total education cost ($119,660)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Bellevue
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bellevue for Petroleum Engineering
Bellevue State University
public
$11,349/yr
$45,396 total
University of Bellevue
public
$11,803/yr
$47,212 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bellevue Community College
$7,512/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Bellevue
Bellevue offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bellevue Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$60K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$61K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$57K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Kent, WA
$58K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$61K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$62K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Bellevue
Computer Engineering
$89K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$146K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$89K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$143K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$143K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$139K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$89K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$89K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Bellevue — 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 Bellevue.