Petroleum Engineering Degree in Fremont, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Fremont, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$147K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Fremont
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Fremont, CA Overview
Fremont is one of California's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 9,210. Public tuition averages $1,540/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Fremont is approximately $52,500, growing to $147,000 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$60,373/yr
Room & Board
$17,934/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,692/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
56%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Fremont (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fremont's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Fremont adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Fremont
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Fremont tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $60,373
Fremont avg aid: $13,692/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,896
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Fremont
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fremont
$1,287,104
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,365,000) minus total education cost ($77,896)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Fremont
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fremont for Petroleum Engineering
Ohlone College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ohlone College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Fremont
Fremont offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fremont 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 Fremont
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$82K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Fremont — 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 Fremont.