Petroleum Engineering Degree in San Bernardino, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for San Bernardino, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$146K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in San Bernardino
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in San Bernardino, CA Overview
San Bernardino is one of California's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 21,939. Public tuition averages $7,316/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 San Bernardino is approximately $52,000, growing to $145,600 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$7,316/yr
Private Tuition
$48,781/yr
Room & Board
$13,152/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,226/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in San Bernardino (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for San Bernardino's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.San Bernardino adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for San Bernardino
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local San Bernardino tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,316 | Private avg: $48,781
San Bernardino avg aid: $15,226/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,872
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in San Bernardino
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in San Bernardino
$1,270,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,352,000) minus total education cost ($81,872)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in San Bernardino
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in San Bernardino for Petroleum Engineering
California State University, San Bernardino
public
$7,316/yr
$29,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
San Bernardino Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in San Bernardino
San Bernardino offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$52K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$81K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$81K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in San Bernardino — 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 San Bernardino.