Best Nuclear Engineering institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 33 U.S. colleges offering Nuclear Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 24 states.
About Nuclear Engineering programs
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 interactions, and the practical applications of nuclear energy and radiation in various industries.
Students in Nuclear Engineering will acquire essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and science, along with knowledge in engineering technology, physics, and public safety. Coursework typically involves hands-on training in designing nuclear equipment, monitoring facility operations, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Top 9 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,134 | 56 | 85% | — | $21,350 |
| 2 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,947 | 26 | 64% | — | $23,354 |
| 3 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,014 | 25 | 84% | $28,900 | $19,500 |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,540 | 77 | 85% | — | $23,250 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,724 | 83 | 74% | — | $23,000 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate degree | $70,326 | 27 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,657 | 50 | 70% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,604 | 105 | 84% | — | $18,471 |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,226 | 52 | 83% | — | $20,500 |
Offered across 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinoislimited | 1 | $81,134 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign |
| Missourilimited | 1 | $77,947 | Missouri University of Science and Technology |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | $77,014 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | $74,540 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | $73,724 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $70,326 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | $69,657 | Oregon State University |
| Texaslimited | 1 | $66,604 | Texas A&M University - College Station |
| Indianalimited | 1 | $63,226 | Purdue University - Main Campus |
| Californialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2161, Nuclear Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Nuclear Engineering can pursue careers in various sectors, including energy production and safety regulation. The job outlook indicates a decline of 1.1%, with approximately 800 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $127,520, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Nuclear Engineering 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
- Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
- Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Nuclear Engineering
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Nuclear EngineeringCIP 14.2301
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for controlling and manipulating nuclear energy, in
Common questions
What is Nuclear Engineering?+
Nuclear Engineering focuses on the design and operation of nuclear systems, including reactors and radiation safety.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and public safety.
What are the career prospects?+
The outlook shows a decline of 1.1%, with about 800 annual job openings.
What is the typical salary?+
The median wage for Nuclear Engineering professionals is $127,520.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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