Nuclear Engineering Degree in Franklin, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Franklin, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$140K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Franklin
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Franklin, TN Overview
While Franklin has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,807/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Franklin is approximately $59,250, growing to $139,830 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,100/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,807/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,962/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Franklin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Franklin's cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Franklin adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Franklin
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Franklin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,100 | Private avg: $32,000
Franklin avg aid: $15,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,628
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,775
vs HS diploma in Franklin
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Franklin
$1,081,372
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,185,000) minus total education cost ($103,628)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Franklin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Franklin for Nuclear Engineering
Franklin State University
public
$10,603/yr
$42,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Franklin Community College
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Franklin
Franklin offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Franklin Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Franklin
Petroleum Engineering
$59K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$95K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$95K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Franklin — 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 Franklin.