Petroleum Engineering Degree in Mesquite, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Mesquite, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$129K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Mesquite
Cost of Living
92.3
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Mesquite, TX Overview
Mesquite, Texas (pop. 150,108) has 6 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92.3 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $720/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 Mesquite is approximately $46,150, growing to $129,220 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,260/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,026/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
58%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Mesquite (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mesquite's cost of living index of 92.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Mesquite adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Mesquite
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Mesquite tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Mesquite avg aid: $8,026/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,640
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,845
vs HS diploma in Mesquite
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mesquite
$1,103,260
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,199,900) minus total education cost ($96,640)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Mesquite
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mesquite for Petroleum Engineering
Mesquite State University
public
$10,808/yr
$43,232 total
University of Mesquite
public
$11,881/yr
$47,524 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Mesquite Community College
$5,670/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Mesquite
Mesquite offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mesquite 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 Mesquite
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$72K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Mesquite — 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 Mesquite.