Nuclear Engineering Degree in Pomona, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Pomona, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$155K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Pomona
Cost of Living
131
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Pomona, CA Overview
Pomona, California (pop. 151,348) has 11 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 131 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,430/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Pomona is approximately $65,500, growing to $154,580 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$7,387/yr
Private Tuition
$40,824/yr
Room & Board
$16,037/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,843/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
66%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Pomona (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pomona's cost of living index of 131 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Pomona adjustment factor: 1.31x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Pomona
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Pomona tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,387 | Private avg: $40,824
Pomona avg aid: $10,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,650
vs HS diploma in Pomona
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pomona
$1,216,304
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,310,000) minus total education cost ($93,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Pomona
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pomona for Nuclear Engineering
Cal Poly Pomona
public
$7,387/yr
$29,548 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Mt. San Antonio College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Pomona
Pomona offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pomona Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Pomona
Petroleum Engineering
$66K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$66K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$105K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$105K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$102K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$66K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$102K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Pomona — 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 Pomona.