Nuclear Engineering Degree in Plano, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Plano, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$100K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Plano
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Plano, TX Overview
Plano, Texas (pop. 285,494) has 9 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $849/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Plano is approximately $42,500, growing to $100,300 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$2,220/yr
Private Tuition
$39,702/yr
Room & Board
$12,277/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,063/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
57%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Plano (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Plano's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Plano adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Plano
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Plano tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,220 | Private avg: $39,702
Plano avg aid: $15,063/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$57,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Plano
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Plano
$792,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($850,000) minus total education cost ($57,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Plano
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Plano for Nuclear Engineering
Collin College University Center
public
$2,220/yr
$8,880 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Collin College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Plano
Plano offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Plano 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 Plano
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Plano — 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 Plano.