Petroleum Engineering Degree in Santa Clarita, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Santa Clarita, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$74K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$207K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Santa Clarita
Cost of Living
148.1
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Santa Clarita, CA Overview
Santa Clarita, California (pop. 228,673) has 9 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 148.1 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,100/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 Santa Clarita is approximately $74,050, growing to $207,340 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,381/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,814/yr
Unemployment
5.5%
Graduation Rate
66%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Santa Clarita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Clarita's cost of living index of 148.1 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Santa Clarita adjustment factor: 1.48x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Santa Clarita
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Santa Clarita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Santa Clarita avg aid: $11,814/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,524
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,215
vs HS diploma in Santa Clarita
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Clarita
$1,801,776
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,925,300) minus total education cost ($123,524)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Santa Clarita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Clarita for Petroleum Engineering
Santa Clarita State University
public
$13,263/yr
$53,052 total
University of Santa Clarita
public
$16,216/yr
$64,864 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Clarita Community College
$6,330/yr
California Technical College - Santa Clarita
$5,900/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita
Computer Engineering
$74K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$121K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$118K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$118K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$116K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$74K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$116K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Santa Clarita — 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 Santa Clarita.