Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lancaster, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Lancaster, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$128K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Lancaster
Cost of Living
108.2
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Lancaster, CA Overview
Lancaster, California (pop. 173,516) has 7 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 108.2 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,140/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Lancaster is approximately $54,100, growing to $127,676 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,522/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,181/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Lancaster (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lancaster's cost of living index of 108.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Lancaster adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Lancaster
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Lancaster tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Lancaster avg aid: $15,181/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$112,088
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,230
vs HS diploma in Lancaster
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lancaster
$969,912
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,082,000) minus total education cost ($112,088)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Lancaster
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lancaster for Nuclear Engineering
Lancaster State University
public
$14,869/yr
$59,476 total
University of Lancaster
public
$15,826/yr
$63,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lancaster Community College
$6,025/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Lancaster
Lancaster offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lancaster Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lancaster
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
$87K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$87K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$84K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lancaster — 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 Lancaster.