Nuclear Engineering Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$166K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $70,500, growing to $166,380 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$1,277,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,410,000) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Nuclear Engineering
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$71K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$62K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$58K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$70K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$58K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$55K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$56K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Bridgeport
Petroleum Engineering
$71K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$116K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$113K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$113K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$110K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Bridgeport — 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 Bridgeport.