Best colleges for Nuclear Engineering in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pennsylvania State University and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus award the most Nuclear Engineering degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 46 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Pennsylvania colleges offer Nuclear Engineering and award 84 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Nuclear Engineering is a specialized field within engineering that focuses on the design, development, and operation of nuclear systems and technologies. This program is ideal for students interested in the science of atomic nuclei, their…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,218 | 46 | 86% | — | $24,799 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Certificate | $70,326 | 32 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Nuclear Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 46 | $78,218 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 32 | $70,326 |
ShowHide the other 1 Pennsylvania colleges offering Nuclear Engineering
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 6 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Nuclear Engineers (SOC 17-2161).
Top skills
What Nuclear Engineers earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Nuclear Engineering programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Nuclear Engineering degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (46 graduates a year) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (32 graduates a year) award the most Nuclear Engineering degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Pennsylvania colleges offer Nuclear Engineering.
Which Nuclear Engineering program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pennsylvania State University tops the list at $78,218. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Nuclear Engineers earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Nuclear Engineers in Pennsylvania is $134,740 (median $133,250), across about 340 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Nuclear Engineering program?+
Nuclear Engineering is a specialized field within engineering that focuses on the design, development, and operation of nuclear systems and technologies. This program is ideal for students interested in the science of atomic nuclei, their…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, science, writing, mathematics, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Nuclear Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about -1.1% growth with around 800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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