Best colleges for Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 16 U.S. colleges offering Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 12 states.
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,232 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 41.02 and the Nuclear Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians programs
The Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians program focuses on training individuals in the use of nuclear technology and industrial radiologic techniques. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of science and technology, particularly in fields that ensure safety and efficiency in nuclear operations and industrial applications.
Learn more about Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians →
Students will gain essential skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and safety procedures, alongside knowledge in public safety, physics, and engineering. Coursework typically covers operational policies, equipment testing, and surveillance of nuclear systems to maintain safety standards.
Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KS Public · Associate degree | $42,232 | 75 | 45% | — | $10,625 |
| 2 | South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA Public · Certificate | $40,042 | 47 | 30% | — | $9,000 |
| 3 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MO Public · Associate degree Small program | $49,762 | 8 | 84% | — | — |
Specializations within Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 41.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Industrial Radiologic Technology/CIP 41.0204
Technician partial data182 graduates / yr8 institutions7 states - Nuclear/CIP 41.0205
Nuclear Power Technology/ Technician partial data78 graduates / yr8 institutions7 states - Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/CIP 41.0299
Technicians limited data15 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 12 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missourilimited | 1 | $49,762 | State Technical College of Missouri |
| Kansaslimited | 2 | $42,232 | Cowley County Community College |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | $40,042 | South Louisiana Community College |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers in nuclear and industrial radiologic technology, with a median wage of $104,240. However, the job outlook indicates a decline of 7.7%, with approximately 700 annual openings, typically requiring an associate's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 41.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 41.02 (Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-4051 | Nuclear Techniciansprimary |
| 51-8011 | Nuclear Power Reactor Operators |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
Common questions
What is the focus of this program?+
The program focuses on training in nuclear technology and industrial radiologic techniques.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and safety procedures.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 7.7% with about 700 annual openings.
What is the typical education required?+
An associate's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
How much do Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,232, College Scorecard (2019); the Nuclear Technicians occupation pays about $108,940 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians?+
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 41.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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