Nuclear Engineering Degree in Elgin, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Elgin, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$93K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Elgin
Cost of Living
79
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Elgin, IL Overview
Elgin, Illinois (pop. 114,797) has 13 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 79 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,008/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Elgin is approximately $39,500, growing to $93,220 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,014/yr
Private Tuition
$30,900/yr
Room & Board
$9,983/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,897/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
47%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Elgin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Elgin's cost of living index of 79 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Elgin adjustment factor: 0.79x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Elgin
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Elgin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,014 | Private avg: $30,900
Elgin avg aid: $15,897/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,850
vs HS diploma in Elgin
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Elgin
$710,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($790,000) minus total education cost ($79,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Elgin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Elgin for Nuclear Engineering
Judson University
private
$30,900/yr
$123,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Elgin Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Elgin
Elgin offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Elgin Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Elgin
Petroleum Engineering
$40K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$65K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$63K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$63K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$62K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Elgin — 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 Elgin.