Petroleum Engineering Degree in Modesto, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Modesto, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$182K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.1 yrs
in Modesto
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Modesto, CA Overview
Modesto, California (pop. 218,464) has 9 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,224/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 Modesto is approximately $65,000, growing to $182,000 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$57,167/yr
Room & Board
$18,295/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,378/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Modesto (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Modesto's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Modesto adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Modesto
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Modesto tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $57,167
Modesto avg aid: $10,378/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Modesto
ROI Payback Period
4.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Modesto
$1,610,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,690,000) minus total education cost ($79,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Modesto
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Modesto for Petroleum Engineering
Modesto Junior College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Modesto Junior College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Modesto
Modesto offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Modesto Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Modesto
Computer Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$65K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$104K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$104K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$101K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$101K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Modesto — 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 Modesto.