Petroleum Engineering Degree in Oxnard, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Oxnard, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$155K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Oxnard
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Oxnard, CA Overview
Oxnard, California (pop. 202,063) has 17 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 111 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,254/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 Oxnard is approximately $55,500, growing to $155,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$6,945/yr
Private Tuition
$55,924/yr
Room & Board
$12,995/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,812/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
74%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Oxnard (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oxnard's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Oxnard adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Oxnard
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Oxnard tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,945 | Private avg: $55,924
Oxnard avg aid: $13,812/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,760
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Oxnard
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oxnard
$1,363,240
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,443,000) minus total education cost ($79,760)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Oxnard
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oxnard for Petroleum Engineering
California State University Channel Islands
public
$6,945/yr
$27,780 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Oxnard College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Oxnard
Oxnard offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oxnard 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 Oxnard
Computer Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$91K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$89K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$89K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$87K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Oxnard — 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 Oxnard.