Petroleum Engineering Degree in Orlando, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Orlando, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$134K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Orlando
Cost of Living
96
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Orlando, FL Overview
Orlando, Florida (pop. 307,573) has 16 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $804/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 Orlando is approximately $48,000, growing to $134,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$6,368/yr
Private Tuition
$44,990/yr
Room & Board
$9,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,728/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
75%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Orlando (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Orlando's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Orlando adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Orlando
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Orlando tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,368 | Private avg: $44,990
Orlando avg aid: $11,728/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,404
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,400
vs HS diploma in Orlando
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Orlando
$1,183,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,248,000) minus total education cost ($64,404)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Orlando
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Orlando for Petroleum Engineering
University of Central Florida
public
$6,368/yr
$25,472 total
Rollins College
private
$44,990/yr
$179,960 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Valencia College
$3,110/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Orlando
Orlando offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Orlando Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Orlando
Computer Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$79K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$48K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$77K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$77K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$48K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Orlando — 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 Orlando.