Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lubbock, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Lubbock, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$97K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.9 yrs
in Lubbock
Cost of Living
82
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Lubbock, TX Overview
Lubbock is one of Texas's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 104,491. Public tuition averages $11,380/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Lubbock is approximately $41,000, growing to $96,760 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$11,380/yr
Private Tuition
$26,460/yr
Room & Board
$12,797/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,179/yr
Unemployment
5.5%
Graduation Rate
72%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Lubbock (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lubbock's cost of living index of 82 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Lubbock adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Lubbock
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Lubbock tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,380 | Private avg: $26,460
Lubbock avg aid: $15,179/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,300
vs HS diploma in Lubbock
ROI Payback Period
7.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lubbock
$723,292
Lifetime earnings premium ($820,000) minus total education cost ($96,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Lubbock
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lubbock for Nuclear Engineering
Texas Tech University
public
$11,380/yr
$45,520 total
Lubbock Christian University
private
$26,460/yr
$105,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Plains College Lubbock Center
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Lubbock
Lubbock offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lubbock Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lubbock
Petroleum Engineering
$41K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$41K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$67K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$64K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$41K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$64K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Lubbock — 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 Lubbock.