Nuclear Engineering Degree in Surprise, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Surprise, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$118K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Surprise
Cost of Living
100.2
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Surprise, AZ Overview
Surprise, Arizona (pop. 143,148) has 6 colleges offering Nuclear Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 100.2 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,095/month. Nuclear Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Reactor Physics and Radiation Protection. The adjusted starting salary in Surprise is approximately $50,100, growing to $118,236 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,400/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,357/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,568/yr
Unemployment
3.5%
Graduation Rate
49%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Surprise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Surprise's cost of living index of 100.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Surprise adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Surprise
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Surprise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,400 | Private avg: $24,000
Surprise avg aid: $13,568/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,028
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,030
vs HS diploma in Surprise
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Surprise
$898,972
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,002,000) minus total education cost ($103,028)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Surprise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Surprise for Nuclear Engineering
Surprise State University
public
$12,369/yr
$49,476 total
University of Surprise
public
$12,295/yr
$49,180 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Surprise Community College
$5,065/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Surprise
Surprise offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Surprise Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Surprise
Petroleum Engineering
$50K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$78K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Surprise — 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 Surprise.