Best Schools for Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering graduates earn a median of $59,215 within two years of graduation, ranking #31 out of 292 tracked majors — 67% above the median across all fields. There are 11 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 235 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn $75,204 while Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates earn $46,087 — a $29,117 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Nuclear Engineering graduates see an average 7% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$59,215

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#31

of 292 Majors

235

Graduates

Public vs Private: Nuclear Engineering

Public (10 schools)

$59,406

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (1 schools)

$57,318

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Nuclear Engineering, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Nuclear Engineering by State

Top Nuclear Engineering Schools by Graduate Earnings

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · Public

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO · Public

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

$59,124

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 24.0%

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

Majors with Similar Earnings

Engineering, Other $62,778 Engineering Science $62,500 Engineering, General $62,258 Civil Engineering $60,176 Engineering-Related Fields $59,843 Mathematics and Statistics, Other $59,425

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Nuclear Engineering?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ranks #1 for Nuclear Engineering with median graduate earnings of $75,204 within two years. There are 11 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Nuclear Engineering graduates earn?

Nuclear Engineering graduates earn an average of $59,215 within two years of graduation. This is 67% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $46,087 to $75,204 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Nuclear Engineering program?

The average acceptance rate across Nuclear Engineering programs is 48.5%. The most selective program is at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus with a 16.5% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Nuclear Engineering?

Private Nuclear Engineering programs average $57,318 in early earnings vs $59,406 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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