Petroleum Engineering Degree in Warren, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Warren, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$124K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Warren
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Warren, MI Overview
Warren, Michigan (pop. 139,387) has 6 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 88.5 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $525/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 Warren is approximately $44,250, growing to $123,900 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,492/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,102/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
61%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Warren (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Warren's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Petroleum Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $140,000 mid-career, $175,000 senior level.Warren adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Warren
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Warren tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $32,000
Warren avg aid: $8,102/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$111,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,275
vs HS diploma in Warren
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Warren
$1,038,932
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,150,500) minus total education cost ($111,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Warren
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Warren for Petroleum Engineering
Warren State University
public
$15,866/yr
$63,464 total
University of Warren
public
$16,099/yr
$64,396 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Warren Community College
$4,976/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Warren
Warren offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Warren Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Warren
Computer Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Warren — 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 Warren.