Petroleum Engineering Degree in Norman, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Norman, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$120K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Norman
Cost of Living
86
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Norman, OK Overview
Norman, Oklahoma (pop. 128,026) has 10 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 86 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $763/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 Norman is approximately $43,000, growing to $120,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$6,023/yr
Private Tuition
$37,405/yr
Room & Board
$9,577/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,871/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Norman (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Norman's cost of living index of 86 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Norman adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Norman
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Norman tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,023 | Private avg: $37,405
Norman avg aid: $10,871/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$62,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,900
vs HS diploma in Norman
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Norman
$1,055,600
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,118,000) minus total education cost ($62,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Norman
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Norman for Petroleum Engineering
University of Oklahoma
public
$6,023/yr
$24,092 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moore Norman Technology Center
$3,870/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Norman
Norman offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Norman Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma City, OK
$49K starting · COL 97
37 colleges
Tulsa, OK
$42K starting · COL 84
15 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$46K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$48K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$41K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$45K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$46K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$44K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Norman
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$67K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Norman — 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 Norman.