Petroleum Engineering Degree in Glendale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Glendale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$81K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$227K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
162.4
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Glendale, CA Overview
Glendale, California (pop. 196,543) has 8 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 162.4 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,670/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 $81,200, growing to $227,360 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,677/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,738/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
54%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 162.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.62x 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: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Glendale avg aid: $11,738/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$124,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$24,360
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$1,986,492
Lifetime earnings premium ($2,111,200) minus total education cost ($124,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Petroleum Engineering
Glendale State University
public
$14,651/yr
$58,604 total
University of Glendale
public
$14,900/yr
$59,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$6,504/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 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 Glendale
Computer Engineering
$81K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$133K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$81K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$130K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$130K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$127K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$81K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$127K starting · 2.5 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.