Nuclear Engineering Degree in Springfield, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Springfield, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$157K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Springfield
Cost of Living
133
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Springfield, MA Overview
Springfield, Massachusetts (pop. 155,929) has 6 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 133 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,238/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 $66,500, growing to $156,940 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,943/yr
Private Tuition
$42,786/yr
Room & Board
$21,289/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,962/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
49%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 133 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 1.33x 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: $11,943 | Private avg: $42,786
Springfield avg aid: $7,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,928
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,950
vs HS diploma in Springfield
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Springfield
$1,197,072
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,330,000) minus total education cost ($132,928)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Springfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Springfield for Nuclear Engineering
Western New England University
private
$42,228/yr
$168,912 total
Springfield College
private
$43,344/yr
$173,376 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Springfield Technical Community College
$5,760/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 Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Springfield
Petroleum Engineering
$67K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$109K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$106K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$106K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$104K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$67K 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.