Petroleum Engineering Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Reviewed May 21, 2026. DegreeCalc calculators are educational planning tools; verify final tuition, aid, transcript, loan, and employment decisions with official school, federal, servicer, or employer records.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$151K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 local education-market benchmark points for Petroleum Engineering planning. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/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 Joliet is approximately $54,000, growing to $151,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Benchmarks
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment (est.)
4.2%
Graduation Rate (est.)
70%
How to Study Petroleum Engineering in Joliet: Campus, Online, or Transfer
Students searching for a Petroleum Engineering degree in Joliet, IL usually need a practical path, not just a salary estimate. Use the three options below to compare local cost, credential quality, and flexibility before applying.
Nearby Campus Path
Start with NCES College Navigator and each school's catalog. Confirm the program name, degree level, tuition, graduation rate, internship support, and whether the Petroleum Engineering major is actually offered at that campus.
Online Degree Path
Petroleum Engineering is not always a clean fully-online fit. Look for hybrid programs and ask whether required labs, clinics, studios, or field placements can be completed near Joliet.
Transfer-Cost Path
Community college tuition near Joliet averages $4,980/year in this model. A 2+2 transfer plan can reduce debt if the receiving university accepts credits into the Petroleum Engineering major.
We intentionally avoid listing unverified local school names on this page. Always verify programs with official school catalogs, NCES/IPEDS, and financial aid offices before applying.
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Modeled salaries: national benchmarks for the major scaled by an estimated Joliet cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100). These are not measured local wages.
Note: National Petroleum Engineering salary benchmarks used by this model: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using DegreeCalc's modeled Joliet tuition and cost of living estimates.
Public est.: $8,958 | Private est.: $36,980
Joliet est. aid: $7,482/yr
Federal undergrad (2026-27): 6.52% | Private rates vary by credit
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$1,316,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,404,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Joliet Education Cost Inputs for Petroleum Engineering
This local ROI model uses aggregate tuition, aid, housing, and cost-of-living inputs for Joliet, not a ranked list of individual schools. Confirm any specific program with NCES College Navigator or the school before applying.
Local benchmarks
12
Public tuition
$8,958/yr
Private tuition
$36,980/yr
Community college
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Joliet
Typical hiring sectors for Petroleum Engineering graduates include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; these are general sector categories, not a verified list of Joliet employers. Common employer types nationally include:
Typical Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Other Engineering Majors in Joliet
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$89K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$84K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we estimate Petroleum Engineering degree outcomes in Joliet, IL: This page is a planning model. It combines DegreeCalc's national salary benchmarks for the major with internal city-level estimates for tuition, room and board, aid, unemployment, graduation rate, and cost of living. The figures are not official statistics for Joliet and are not pulled directly from federal datasets for this city.
- Tuition defaults to the modeled Joliet public tuition estimate (not program-specific Petroleum Engineering tuition). Verify actual program prices in IPEDS / College Navigator.
- Salary estimates multiply the national benchmark for Petroleum Engineering by the estimated Joliet cost of living index divided by 100. This is a simple scaling assumption, not BLS local wage data.
- Payback period = (tuition + room and board − aid over the years of study) ÷ (adjusted starting salary − a $35,000 high school benchmark scaled by the same index). Lifetime return = the major's lifetime earnings premium benchmark scaled by the index, minus that net cost. Loan interest is shown separately and is not subtracted.
- Job market outlook is not projected on this page; see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for official 10-year projections.
- Default rates are not modeled here; College Scorecard reports repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Petroleum Engineering career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Petroleum Engineering grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · Model estimates; verify with the official sources above
Financial Aid Resources for Joliet Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Illinois students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The Department of Education has begun showing lower-earnings warnings for some programs on the FAFSA, and a federal earnings accountability test for Direct Loan eligibility takes effect July 1, 2027 — check your target program's outcomes:
Pell Grant maximum is set each award year. Undergraduate Direct Loans at 6.52% (first disbursed July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Illinois programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "illinois higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
FAFSA tip: Check any lower-earnings warning and the program's College Scorecard earnings data before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Joliet — FAQ
What is the starting salary for Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $54,000 per year for Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet, IL. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 108, so the local estimate is 8% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Petroleum Engineering degree worth it in Joliet?
A Petroleum Engineering degree in Joliet has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.4 years, with a projected lifetime return of $1,316,112 after subtracting education costs. With 12 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $8,958/year, Joliet offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 4.2% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 4.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Petroleum Engineering in Joliet?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Joliet at about $8,958 per year and private university tuition at about $36,980/year. Including estimated room and board ($13,014/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $87,888 at a public school to $199,976 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $7,482/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Petroleum Engineering online while living in Joliet?
Petroleum Engineering is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Joliet, IL should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Petroleum Engineering graduates get in Joliet?
Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet can pursue careers as Petroleum Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Drilling Engineer. Skills commonly associated with this field include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Production Optimization, Geomechanics. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; verify which of these are active in Joliet with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell.
How long to pay off student loans for Petroleum Engineering in Joliet?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet would pay $998/month on an estimated $87,888 in loans, with $31,866 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,720/month but save $16,576 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $54,000, monthly payments would represent 22% of gross monthly income.
Data note: Salary, tuition, aid, and cost-of-living figures on this page are DegreeCalc planning estimates, not official values. For official data, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS Regional Data, and NCES/IPEDS.
Explore More
Compare Petroleum Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Joliet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $54,000 per year for Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet, IL. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 108, so the local estimate is 8% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Petroleum Engineering degree worth it in Joliet?
A Petroleum Engineering degree in Joliet has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.4 years, with a projected lifetime return of $1,316,112 after subtracting education costs. With 12 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $8,958/year, Joliet offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 4.2% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 4.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Petroleum Engineering in Joliet?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Joliet at about $8,958 per year and private university tuition at about $36,980/year. Including estimated room and board ($13,014/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $87,888 at a public school to $199,976 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $7,482/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Petroleum Engineering online while living in Joliet?
Petroleum Engineering is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Joliet, IL should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Petroleum Engineering graduates get in Joliet?
Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet can pursue careers as Petroleum Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Drilling Engineer. Skills commonly associated with this field include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Production Optimization, Geomechanics. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; verify which of these are active in Joliet with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell.
How long to pay off student loans for Petroleum Engineering in Joliet?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Petroleum Engineering graduates in Joliet would pay $998/month on an estimated $87,888 in loans, with $31,866 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,720/month but save $16,576 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $54,000, monthly payments would represent 22% of gross monthly income.