Petroleum Engineering Degree in Oklahoma City, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Oklahoma City, OK. 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
5.7 yrs
in Oklahoma City
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Oklahoma City, OK Overview
Oklahoma City is one of Oklahoma's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 35,923. Public tuition averages $7,756/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 Oklahoma City is approximately $48,500, growing to $135,800 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,756/yr
Private Tuition
$31,115/yr
Room & Board
$13,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,650/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Oklahoma City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oklahoma City'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.Oklahoma City adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Oklahoma City
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Oklahoma City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,756 | Private avg: $31,115
Oklahoma City avg aid: $12,650/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$83,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Oklahoma City
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oklahoma City
$1,177,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,261,000) minus total education cost ($83,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Oklahoma City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oklahoma City for Petroleum Engineering
University of Central Oklahoma
public
$7,756/yr
$31,024 total
Oklahoma City University
private
$35,200/yr
$140,800 total
Oklahoma Christian University
private
$27,030/yr
$108,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Oklahoma City Community College
$3,870/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oklahoma City Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Tulsa, OK
$42K starting · COL 84
15 colleges
Norman, OK
$43K starting · COL 86
10 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 Oklahoma City
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 Oklahoma City — 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 Oklahoma City.