Nuclear Engineering Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Design and operation of nuclear power plants and applications of nuclear energy.
Starting Salary
$75K
median
Mid-Career
$118K
salary
ROI Payback
3.3 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2%
rate
Nuclear Engineering Overview
Design and operation of nuclear power plants and applications of nuclear energy.
Category
Engineering
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
66%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
8%
Lifetime Premium
$1000K
Female Graduates
15%
Nuclear Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$21,600
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$21,600
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$978,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,000,000) minus net degree cost ($21,600)
Nuclear Engineering Salary Progression
Common Nuclear Engineering Careers
Nuclear Engineer
Health Physicist
Reactor Operator
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Nuclear Engineering
#1
MIT
#2
University of Michigan
#3
Georgia Tech
#4
Penn State
#5
Texas A&M
Related Majors
Nuclear Engineering Degree FAQ
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 121+ college majors.