Nuclear Engineering Degree in Brownsville, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Brownsville, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.6 yrs
in Brownsville
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Brownsville, TX Overview
Brownsville, Texas (pop. 186,738) has 7 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $868/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Brownsville is approximately $41,500, growing to $97,940 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$8,416/yr
Private Tuition
$32,593/yr
Room & Board
$12,079/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,908/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Brownsville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Brownsville's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Brownsville adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Brownsville
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Brownsville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,416 | Private avg: $32,593
Brownsville avg aid: $12,908/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,980
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Brownsville
ROI Payback Period
6.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Brownsville
$748,020
Lifetime earnings premium ($830,000) minus total education cost ($81,980)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Brownsville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Brownsville for Nuclear Engineering
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
public
$8,416/yr
$33,664 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Texas Southmost College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Brownsville
Brownsville offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Brownsville Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Brownsville
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$65K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$65K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Brownsville — 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 Brownsville.