Petroleum Engineering Degree in Ontario, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Ontario, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$168K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Ontario
Cost of Living
120.3
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Ontario, CA Overview
Ontario, California (pop. 175,265) has 7 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 120.3 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,500/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 Ontario is approximately $60,150, growing to $168,420 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,501/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,507/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
62%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Ontario (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ontario's cost of living index of 120.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Ontario adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Ontario
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Ontario tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Ontario avg aid: $11,507/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,004
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,045
vs HS diploma in Ontario
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ontario
$1,447,896
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,563,900) minus total education cost ($116,004)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Ontario
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ontario for Petroleum Engineering
Ontario State University
public
$15,124/yr
$60,496 total
University of Ontario
public
$13,870/yr
$55,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ontario Community College
$6,160/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Ontario
Ontario offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ontario 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 Ontario
Computer Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$60K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$96K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$94K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Ontario — 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 Ontario.