Petroleum Engineering Degree in Clarksville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Clarksville, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$126K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Clarksville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Clarksville, TN Overview
Clarksville, Tennessee (pop. 166,722) has 9 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $838/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 Clarksville is approximately $45,000, growing to $126,000 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$28,321/yr
Room & Board
$13,192/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,661/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
66%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Clarksville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Clarksville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Clarksville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Clarksville
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Clarksville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $28,321
Clarksville avg aid: $12,661/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,016
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Clarksville
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Clarksville
$1,079,984
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,170,000) minus total education cost ($90,016)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Clarksville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Clarksville for Petroleum Engineering
Austin Peay State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Nashville State Community College Clarksville
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Clarksville
Clarksville offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Clarksville Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Clarksville
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Clarksville — 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 Clarksville.