Petroleum Engineering Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$197K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,476/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 Providence is approximately $70,500, growing to $197,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$15,259/yr
Private Tuition
$59,540/yr
Room & Board
$17,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,708/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
54%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Providence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,259 | Private avg: $59,540
Providence avg aid: $15,708/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$131,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$1,701,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,833,000) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Petroleum Engineering
Brown University
private
$62,680/yr
$250,720 total
Providence College
private
$56,400/yr
$225,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Rhode Island
$4,994/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Providence
Computer Engineering
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$116K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$113K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$113K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$110K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Providence — 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 Providence.