Nuclear Engineering Degree in High Point, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for High Point, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$100K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in High Point
Cost of Living
84.5
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in High Point, NC Overview
While High Point has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,724/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 High Point is approximately $42,250, growing to $99,710 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,200/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,724/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,013/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
60%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in High Point (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for High Point's cost of living index of 84.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.High Point adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for High Point
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local High Point tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,200 | Private avg: $34,000
High Point avg aid: $8,013/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,675
vs HS diploma in High Point
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in High Point
$757,304
Lifetime earnings premium ($845,000) minus total education cost ($87,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in High Point
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in High Point for Nuclear Engineering
High Point State University
public
$9,967/yr
$39,868 total
University of High Point
public
$9,547/yr
$38,188 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
High Point Community College
$5,591/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in High Point
High Point offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key High Point Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in High Point
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in High Point — 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 High Point.