Petroleum Engineering Degree in Moreno Valley, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Moreno Valley, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$162K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
in Moreno Valley
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Moreno Valley, CA Overview
Moreno Valley is one of California's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 16,700. Public tuition averages $1,540/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Moreno Valley is approximately $58,000, growing to $162,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$49,569/yr
Room & Board
$13,649/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,124/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
51%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Moreno Valley (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Moreno Valley's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Moreno Valley adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Moreno Valley
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Moreno Valley tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $49,569
Moreno Valley avg aid: $9,124/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$60,756
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Moreno Valley
ROI Payback Period
3.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Moreno Valley
$1,447,244
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,508,000) minus total education cost ($60,756)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Moreno Valley
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Moreno Valley for Petroleum Engineering
Riverside University Health System
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moreno Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley
Computer Engineering
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$95K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$58K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$93K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$93K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$90K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Moreno Valley — 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 Moreno Valley.