Nuclear Engineering Degree in McKinney, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for McKinney, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$124K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in McKinney
Cost of Living
104.8
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in McKinney, TX Overview
McKinney, Texas (pop. 199,177) has 8 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 104.8 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 McKinney is approximately $52,400, growing to $123,664 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,870/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,814/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
59%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in McKinney (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for McKinney's cost of living index of 104.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.McKinney adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for McKinney
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local McKinney tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
McKinney avg aid: $11,814/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,080
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,720
vs HS diploma in McKinney
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in McKinney
$948,920
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,048,000) minus total education cost ($99,080)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in McKinney
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in McKinney for Nuclear Engineering
McKinney State University
public
$10,909/yr
$43,636 total
University of McKinney
public
$10,604/yr
$42,416 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
McKinney Community College
$5,398/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in McKinney
McKinney offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key McKinney 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 McKinney
Petroleum Engineering
$52K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$82K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in McKinney — 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 McKinney.