Petroleum Engineering Degree in Glendale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Glendale, AZ. 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
6.7 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Glendale, AZ Overview
Glendale, Arizona (pop. 248,325) has 16 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,370/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 Glendale is approximately $52,500, growing to $147,000 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$12,652/yr
Private Tuition
$44,500/yr
Room & Board
$13,685/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,168/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
53%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale'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.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,652 | Private avg: $44,500
Glendale avg aid: $14,168/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,348
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$1,259,652
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,365,000) minus total education cost ($105,348)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Petroleum Engineering
Midwestern University
private
$44,500/yr
$178,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Glendale
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
Materials Science & Engineering
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.