Nuclear Engineering Degree in Springfield, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Springfield, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$109K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
in Springfield
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Springfield, IL Overview
Springfield, Illinois (pop. 114,394) has 9 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $642/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Springfield is approximately $46,000, growing to $108,560 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$12,413/yr
Private Tuition
$27,201/yr
Room & Board
$13,584/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,401/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
61%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Springfield
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Springfield tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,413 | Private avg: $27,201
Springfield avg aid: $7,401/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Springfield
ROI Payback Period
7.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Springfield
$816,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($920,000) minus total education cost ($103,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Springfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Springfield for Nuclear Engineering
University of Illinois Springfield
public
$12,413/yr
$49,652 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lincoln Land Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Springfield
Springfield offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Springfield Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Springfield
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Springfield — 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 Springfield.