Best colleges for Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering, knowledge and technical skills in support of engineer and other professionals operating nuclear facilities and engaged in nuclear applications and safety procedures.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 189 Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1401, a specialization of Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician (CIP 15.14), and leads most directly to the Nuclear Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4051).
About Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering, knowledge and technical skills in support of engineer and other professionals operating nuclear facilities and engaged in nuclear applications and safety procedures. Includes instruction in physics, nuclear science, nuclear systems, nuclear plant and systems design, radiological safety, radiological applications, and applicable law and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers and other professionals in the operation of nuclear facilities, focusing on safety procedures and nuclear applications. This program is ideal for those interested in a technical career within the nuclear industry, emphasizing practical skills and knowledge essential for maintaining safety and efficiency in nuclear operations.
Students in this program gain expertise in areas such as physics, nuclear science, and radiological safety. Coursework typically covers the design of nuclear systems, applicable laws and regulations, and essential skills like monitoring, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Credentials awarded
What Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree111 graduates / yr · 2 institutions59%
- Associate's degree56 graduates / yr · 10 institutions30%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.2%
Graduates over time
Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 309 |
| 2013 | 356 |
| 2014 | 355 |
| 2015 | 333 |
| 2016 | 352 |
| 2017 | 358 |
| 2018 | 318 |
| 2019 | 388 |
| 2020 | 307 |
| 2021 | 220 |
| 2022 | 235 |
| 2023 | 261 |
| 2024 | 260 |
| 2025 | 189 |
Top 12 institutions for Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excelsior University Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 109 | — | — | $101,386 |
| 2 | Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 60% | — | — |
| 3 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAssociate's | 12 | 49% | — | $74,249 |
| 4 | Columbia Basin College Pasco, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 33% | — | — |
| 5 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicAssociate's | 5 | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | Monroe County Community College Monroe, MIPublicAssociate's | 5 | 34% | — | — |
| 7 | Lakeland Community College Kirtland, OHPublicAssociate's | 4 | 24% | — | — |
| 8 | Central Virginia Community College Lynchburg, VAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 45% | — | — |
| 9 | Augusta Technical College Augusta, GAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 31% | — | — |
| 10 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 2 | 87% | — | — |
| 11 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicAssociate's | 2 | 47% | — | — |
| 12 | Onondaga Community College Syracuse, NYPublicAssociate's | 1 | 27% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician field (CIP 15.14) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 10 states
Where Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3 | 112 | Excelsior University109 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 34 | Alexandria Technical & Community College34 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 12 | Arkansas Tech University12 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 8 | Columbia Basin College8 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 5 | Idaho State University5 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 5 | Monroe County Community College5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 4 | Lakeland Community College4 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 4 | Central Virginia Community College4 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | Augusta Technical College3 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 2 | Bismarck State College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician program often pursue careers as Nuclear Technicians or Engineering Technologists. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 7.7%, there are approximately 700 annual openings, with a median wage of $104,240. Most positions require at least an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1401
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nuclear Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4051 | $110,240 | -7.7% Decline | ~700 | Associate's degree |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and safety procedures.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Nuclear Technician or in related engineering technology roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 7.7%, with around 700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician (CIP 15.14). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering, knowledge and technical skills in support of engineer and other professionals operating nuclear facilities and engaged in nuclear applications and safety procedures. Includes instruction in physics, nuclear science, nuclear systems, nuclear plant and systems design, radiological safety, radiological applications, and applicable law and regulations.
How many institutions offer Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states, awarding 189 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates.
How much do Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nuclear Technicians occupation, which Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $110,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $101,386, College Scorecard.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates, so its figures match the Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician program page.
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