Nuclear Engineering Degree in Eugene, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Eugene, OR. 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
6.4 yrs
in Eugene
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Eugene, OR Overview
Eugene, Oregon (pop. 176,654) has 14 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,157/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Eugene is approximately $65,000, growing to $153,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,720/yr
Private Tuition
$33,710/yr
Room & Board
$18,672/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,904/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Eugene (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Eugene'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.Eugene adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Eugene
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Eugene tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,720 | Private avg: $33,710
Eugene avg aid: $14,904/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Eugene
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Eugene
$1,174,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,300,000) minus total education cost ($125,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Eugene
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Eugene for Nuclear Engineering
University of Oregon
public
$12,720/yr
$50,880 total
Northwest Christian University
private
$33,710/yr
$134,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lane Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Eugene
Eugene offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Eugene Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Eugene
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 Eugene — 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 Eugene.