Petroleum Engineering Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$172K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/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 Las Cruces is approximately $61,500, growing to $172,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,450
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$1,491,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,599,000) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Petroleum Engineering
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Las Cruces
Computer Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$101K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$62K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$62K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Las Cruces.