Nuclear Engineering Degree in Pueblo, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Pueblo, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$144K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Pueblo
Cost of Living
122
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Pueblo, CO Overview
Pueblo, Colorado (pop. 111,876) has 13 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 122 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,055/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Pueblo is approximately $61,000, growing to $143,960 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,380/yr
Private Tuition
$39,631/yr
Room & Board
$16,375/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,147/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
48%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Pueblo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pueblo's cost of living index of 122 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Pueblo adjustment factor: 1.22x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Pueblo
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Pueblo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,380 | Private avg: $39,631
Pueblo avg aid: $7,147/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,020
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,300
vs HS diploma in Pueblo
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pueblo
$1,112,980
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,220,000) minus total education cost ($107,020)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Pueblo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pueblo for Nuclear Engineering
Colorado State University-Pueblo
public
$10,380/yr
$41,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pueblo Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Pueblo
Pueblo offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pueblo Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Pueblo
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$100K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$95K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Pueblo — 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 Pueblo.