Petroleum Engineering Degree in Killeen, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Killeen, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$119K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Killeen
Cost of Living
85.2
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Killeen, TX Overview
Killeen, Texas (pop. 153,095) has 6 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 85.2 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/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 Killeen is approximately $42,600, growing to $119,280 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,516/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,816/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
58%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Killeen (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Killeen's cost of living index of 85.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Killeen adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Killeen
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Killeen tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Killeen avg aid: $10,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,780
vs HS diploma in Killeen
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Killeen
$1,009,936
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,107,600) minus total education cost ($97,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Killeen
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Killeen for Petroleum Engineering
Killeen State University
public
$10,256/yr
$41,024 total
University of Killeen
public
$10,971/yr
$43,884 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Killeen Community College
$5,619/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Killeen
Killeen offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Killeen Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Killeen
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$66K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Killeen — 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 Killeen.