Nuclear Engineering Degree in Springfield, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Springfield, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$94K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Springfield
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Springfield, MO Overview
While Springfield has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $13,383/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 $40,000, growing to $94,400 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,210/yr
Private Tuition
$33,330/yr
Room & Board
$13,383/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,942/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
52%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 0.80x 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: $8,210 | Private avg: $33,330
Springfield avg aid: $13,942/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,000
vs HS diploma in Springfield
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Springfield
$713,628
Lifetime earnings premium ($800,000) minus total education cost ($86,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Springfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Springfield for Nuclear Engineering
Missouri State University
public
$8,210/yr
$32,840 total
Drury University
private
$33,330/yr
$133,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ozarks Technical Community College
$3,900/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 Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$47K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$49K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Columbia, MO
$42K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$43K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$48K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$44K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$45K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$42K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Springfield
Petroleum Engineering
$40K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$64K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$64K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$62K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$40K 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.