Nuclear Engineering Degree in Rochester, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Rochester, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$165K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Rochester
Cost of Living
140
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Rochester, NY Overview
Rochester, New York (pop. 211,328) has 13 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 140 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,592/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Rochester is approximately $70,000, growing to $165,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$13,886/yr
Private Tuition
$56,653/yr
Room & Board
$21,356/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,325/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
46%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Rochester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rochester's cost of living index of 140 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Rochester adjustment factor: 1.40x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Rochester
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Rochester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,886 | Private avg: $56,653
Rochester avg aid: $10,325/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$140,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,000
vs HS diploma in Rochester
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rochester
$1,259,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,400,000) minus total education cost ($140,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Rochester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rochester for Nuclear Engineering
University of Rochester
private
$60,550/yr
$242,200 total
Rochester Institute of Technology
private
$52,756/yr
$211,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Monroe Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Rochester
Rochester offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rochester Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Huntington, NY
$68K starting · COL 135.6
8 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Rochester
Petroleum Engineering
$70K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$70K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$115K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$112K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$112K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$109K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$70K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$70K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Rochester — 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 Rochester.