Petroleum Engineering Degree in Frederick, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Frederick, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$158K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Frederick
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Frederick, MD Overview
While Frederick has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Petroleum Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,475/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Frederick is approximately $56,250, growing to $157,500 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,475/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,491/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Frederick (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Frederick's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Frederick adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Frederick
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Frederick tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Frederick avg aid: $13,491/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Frederick
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Frederick
$1,357,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,462,500) minus total education cost ($105,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Frederick
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Frederick for Petroleum Engineering
Frederick State University
public
$11,147/yr
$44,588 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Frederick Community College
$6,149/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Frederick
Frederick offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Frederick Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Frederick
Computer Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Frederick — 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 Frederick.