Petroleum Engineering Degree in Corona, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Corona, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$175K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Corona
Cost of Living
124.8
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Corona, CA Overview
Corona, California (pop. 157,136) has 6 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 124.8 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,680/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 Corona is approximately $62,400, growing to $174,720 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,989/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,438/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
46%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Corona (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Corona's cost of living index of 124.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Corona adjustment factor: 1.25x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Corona
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Corona tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Corona avg aid: $14,438/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$117,956
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,720
vs HS diploma in Corona
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Corona
$1,504,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,622,400) minus total education cost ($117,956)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Corona
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Corona for Petroleum Engineering
Corona State University
public
$13,268/yr
$53,072 total
University of Corona
public
$15,457/yr
$61,828 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Corona Community College
$6,467/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Corona
Corona offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Corona Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Corona
Computer Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$102K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$62K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$100K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$100K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$97K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Corona — 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 Corona.