Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lee's Summit, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Lee's Summit, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$113K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
95.5
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Lee's Summit, MO Overview
While Lee's Summit has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,180/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 Lee's Summit is approximately $47,750, growing to $112,690 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,200/yr
Private Tuition
$30,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,180/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
45%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Lee's Summit (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lee's Summit's cost of living index of 95.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Lee's Summit adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Lee's Summit
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Lee's Summit tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $30,000
Lee's Summit avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,520
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,325
vs HS diploma in Lee's Summit
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lee's Summit
$857,480
Lifetime earnings premium ($955,000) minus total education cost ($97,520)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Lee's Summit
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lee's Summit for Nuclear Engineering
Lee's Summit State University
public
$9,311/yr
$37,244 total
University of Lee's Summit
public
$11,299/yr
$45,196 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lee's Summit Community College
$5,472/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lee's Summit Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$47K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$49K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Columbia, MO
$42K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$43K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
OFallon, MO
$44K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$45K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$42K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lee's Summit
Petroleum Engineering
$48K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$48K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lee's Summit — 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 Lee's Summit.