Petroleum Engineering Degree in Hampton, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Hampton, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$136K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in Hampton
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Hampton, VA Overview
Hampton, Virginia (pop. 137,148) has 7 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,001/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 Hampton is approximately $48,500, growing to $135,800 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$7,217/yr
Private Tuition
$29,404/yr
Room & Board
$11,761/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,608/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
52%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Hampton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hampton's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Hampton adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Hampton
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Hampton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,217 | Private avg: $29,404
Hampton avg aid: $10,608/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,912
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Hampton
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hampton
$1,185,088
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,261,000) minus total education cost ($75,912)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Hampton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hampton for Petroleum Engineering
Hampton University
private
$29,404/yr
$117,616 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Thomas Nelson Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Hampton
Hampton offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hampton Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Hampton
Computer Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$49K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Hampton — 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 Hampton.