Nuclear Engineering Degree in New Bedford, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for New Bedford, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$121K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8 yrs
in New Bedford
Cost of Living
102.5
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in New Bedford, MA Overview
While New Bedford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,635/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 New Bedford is approximately $51,250, growing to $120,950 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,635/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,843/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in New Bedford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for New Bedford's cost of living index of 102.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.New Bedford adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for New Bedford
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local New Bedford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
New Bedford avg aid: $9,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,940
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,375
vs HS diploma in New Bedford
ROI Payback Period
8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Bedford
$902,060
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,025,000) minus total education cost ($122,940)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in New Bedford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Bedford for Nuclear Engineering
New Bedford State University
public
$15,984/yr
$63,936 total
University of New Bedford
public
$18,237/yr
$72,948 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
New Bedford Community College
$5,720/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in New Bedford
New Bedford offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Bedford Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in New Bedford
Petroleum Engineering
$51K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in New Bedford — 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 New Bedford.