Nuclear Engineering Degree in Baltimore, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Baltimore, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$153K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Baltimore
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Baltimore, MD Overview
Baltimore is one of Maryland's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 30,415. Public tuition averages $12,096/year here — near the national average for public universities. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Baltimore is approximately $65,000, growing to $153,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$12,096/yr
Private Tuition
$56,325/yr
Room & Board
$21,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,793/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Baltimore (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Baltimore's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Baltimore adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Baltimore
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Baltimore tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,096 | Private avg: $56,325
Baltimore avg aid: $8,793/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$135,364
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Baltimore
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baltimore
$1,164,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,300,000) minus total education cost ($135,364)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Baltimore
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Baltimore for Nuclear Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
private
$60,480/yr
$241,920 total
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
public
$12,096/yr
$48,384 total
Loyola University Maryland
private
$52,170/yr
$208,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Baltimore City Community College
$3,768/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Baltimore
Baltimore offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Baltimore Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Maryland Cities
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Baltimore
Petroleum Engineering
$65K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$104K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$104K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$101K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Baltimore — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nuclear Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Baltimore.