Petroleum Engineering Degree in Fresno, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Fresno, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$165K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.3 yrs
in Fresno
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Fresno, CA Overview
Fresno is one of California's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 23,836. Public tuition averages $7,302/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 Fresno is approximately $59,000, growing to $165,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,302/yr
Private Tuition
$24,820/yr
Room & Board
$16,283/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,988/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
65%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Fresno (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fresno's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Fresno adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Fresno
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Fresno tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,302 | Private avg: $24,820
Fresno avg aid: $12,988/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,700
vs HS diploma in Fresno
ROI Payback Period
5.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fresno
$1,439,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,534,000) minus total education cost ($94,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Fresno
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fresno for Petroleum Engineering
California State University, Fresno
public
$7,302/yr
$29,208 total
Fresno Pacific University
private
$36,320/yr
$145,280 total
National University Fresno
private
$13,320/yr
$53,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fresno City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Fresno
Fresno offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fresno 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
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
Bakersfield, CA
$67K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Fresno
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Fresno — 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 Fresno.