Petroleum Engineering Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. 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
7.6 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/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 Minneapolis is approximately $48,500, growing to $135,800 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis'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.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$1,150,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,261,000) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Petroleum Engineering
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$50K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.