Petroleum Engineering Degree in Cambridge, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Cambridge, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$186K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Cambridge
Cost of Living
133
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Cambridge, MA Overview
Cambridge, Massachusetts (pop. 118,403) has 6 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 133 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,322/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 Cambridge is approximately $66,500, growing to $186,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$13,207/yr
Private Tuition
$57,624/yr
Room & Board
$17,447/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,677/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
75%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Cambridge (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cambridge's cost of living index of 133 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Cambridge adjustment factor: 1.33x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Cambridge
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Cambridge tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,207 | Private avg: $57,624
Cambridge avg aid: $14,677/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,616
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,950
vs HS diploma in Cambridge
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cambridge
$1,606,384
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,729,000) minus total education cost ($122,616)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Cambridge
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cambridge for Petroleum Engineering
Harvard University
private
$57,261/yr
$229,044 total
MIT
private
$57,986/yr
$231,944 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Cambridge
Cambridge offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cambridge Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Cambridge
Computer Engineering
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$109K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$67K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$106K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$106K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$104K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$67K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Cambridge — 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 Cambridge.