Petroleum Engineering Degree in Fontana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Fontana, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$148K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Fontana
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Fontana, CA Overview
Fontana, California (pop. 214,547) has 18 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,423/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 Fontana is approximately $53,000, growing to $148,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$11,333/yr
Private Tuition
$38,840/yr
Room & Board
$18,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,336/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Fontana (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fontana's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Fontana adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Fontana
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Fontana tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,333 | Private avg: $38,840
Fontana avg aid: $11,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$121,108
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,900
vs HS diploma in Fontana
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fontana
$1,256,892
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,378,000) minus total education cost ($121,108)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Fontana
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fontana for Petroleum Engineering
California Baptist University Fontana
private
$38,840/yr
$155,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chaffey College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Fontana
Fontana offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fontana 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 Fontana
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$83K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Fontana — 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 Fontana.