Nuclear Engineering Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$127K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $54,000, growing to $127,440 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$992,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,080,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Nuclear Engineering
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet 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
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 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 Joliet
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$89K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.