Petroleum Engineering Degree in Newark, NJ — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Newark, NJ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$189K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Newark
Cost of Living
135
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Newark, NJ Overview
Newark, New Jersey (pop. 311,549) has 14 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 135 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,595/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 Newark is approximately $67,500, growing to $189,000 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,507/yr
Private Tuition
$47,742/yr
Room & Board
$15,130/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,623/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
74%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Newark (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Newark's cost of living index of 135 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Newark adjustment factor: 1.35x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Newark
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Newark tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,507 | Private avg: $47,742
Newark avg aid: $8,623/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,548
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,250
vs HS diploma in Newark
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Newark
$1,628,452
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,755,000) minus total education cost ($126,548)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Newark
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Newark for Petroleum Engineering
Rutgers University-Newark
public
$14,974/yr
$59,896 total
New Jersey Institute of Technology
public
$18,040/yr
$72,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Essex County College
$5,040/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Newark
Newark offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Newark Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby New Jersey Cities
Jersey City, NJ
$64K starting · COL 127
23 colleges
Paterson, NJ
$65K starting · COL 129
5 colleges
Elizabeth, NJ
$58K starting · COL 115.5
6 colleges
Edison, NJ
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Lakewood, NJ
$64K starting · COL 128.8
5 colleges
Woodbridge, NJ
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Toms River, NJ
$59K starting · COL 117.7
4 colleges
Trenton, NJ
$67K starting · COL 134
8 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Newark
Computer Engineering
$68K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$111K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$108K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$108K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$105K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$68K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$105K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Newark — 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 Newark.