Petroleum Engineering Degree in Wichita, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Petroleum Engineering degree analysis for Wichita, KS. 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
5.5 yrs
in Wichita
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Petroleum Engineering in Wichita, KS Overview
Wichita, Kansas (pop. 397,532) has 20 colleges offering Petroleum Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 104 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $837/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 Wichita is approximately $52,000, growing to $145,600 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$43,408/yr
Room & Board
$12,817/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,474/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
46%
Petroleum Engineering Salary in Wichita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wichita'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.Wichita adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Petroleum Engineering ROI Calculator for Wichita
Estimate your return on investment for a Petroleum Engineering degree using local Wichita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $43,408
Wichita avg aid: $16,474/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Wichita
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wichita
$1,266,172
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,352,000) minus total education cost ($85,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Petroleum Engineering in Wichita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wichita for Petroleum Engineering
Wichita State University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Butler Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Petroleum Engineering in Wichita
Wichita offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Petroleum Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wichita Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Petroleum Engineering Job Titles
Petroleum Engineering in Nearby Kansas Cities
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$42K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Wichita
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
Materials Science & Engineering
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Petroleum Engineering Degree in Wichita — 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 Wichita.