Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. 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
4.7 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $54,000, growing to $127,440 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence'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.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$1,004,524
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,080,000) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Nuclear Engineering
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$42K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lawrence
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 Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.