Nuclear Engineering Degree in Phoenix, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Phoenix, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$76K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$179K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Phoenix
Cost of Living
152
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Phoenix, AZ Overview
Phoenix is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 72 institutions and a student population of 118,169. Public tuition averages $12,467/year here — near the national average for public universities. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Phoenix is approximately $76,000, growing to $179,360 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
72
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$22,100/yr
Room & Board
$14,782/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,630/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Phoenix (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Phoenix's cost of living index of 152 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Phoenix adjustment factor: 1.52x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Phoenix
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Phoenix tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $22,100
Phoenix avg aid: $8,630/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,996
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,800
vs HS diploma in Phoenix
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Phoenix
$1,411,004
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,520,000) minus total education cost ($108,996)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Phoenix
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Phoenix for Nuclear Engineering
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Grand Canyon University
private
$17,800/yr
$71,200 total
University of Advancing Technology
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Maricopa Community Colleges
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Phoenix
Phoenix offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Phoenix Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Arizona Cities
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Phoenix
Petroleum Engineering
$76K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$76K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$125K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$122K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$122K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$119K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$76K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$76K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Phoenix — 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 Phoenix.