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Nuclear Engineering Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$110K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Nuclear Engineering in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500, growing to $109,740 by mid-career.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Nuclear Engineering Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$109,740($-8,260 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$137,640($-10,360 vs national)

Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Jackson

Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,950

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$843,908

Lifetime earnings premium ($930,000) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Nuclear Engineering

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Jackson

Jackson offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

US NavyWestinghouseGEDepartment of EnergyNRC

Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles

Nuclear EngineerHealth PhysicistReactor Operator

Nuclear Engineering Degree in Jackson — 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.

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