Petroleum Engineering Degree in Boise, ID — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Boise, ID. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$169K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Boise
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Boise, ID Overview
Boise is one of Idaho's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 13,506. Public tuition averages $8,060/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Boise is approximately $60,500, growing to $169,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$8,060/yr
Private Tuition
$34,250/yr
Room & Board
$13,521/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,294/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
58%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Boise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boise's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Boise adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Boise
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Boise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,060 | Private avg: $34,250
Boise avg aid: $15,294/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Boise
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boise
$1,486,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,573,000) minus total education cost ($86,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Boise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boise for Petroleum Engineering
Boise State University
public
$8,060/yr
$32,240 total
College of Idaho
private
$34,250/yr
$137,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
College of Western Idaho
$3,456/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Boise
Boise offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boise Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Idaho Cities
Meridian, ID
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Nampa, ID
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Idaho Falls, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Caldwell, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.8
3 colleges
Pocatello, ID
$59K starting · COL 118
6 colleges
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$53K starting · COL 105.2
3 colleges
Twin Falls, ID
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Boise
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$94K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Boise — 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 Boise.