Nuclear Engineering Degree in Waldorf, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Nuclear Engineering degree analysis for Waldorf, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$142K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Waldorf
Cost of Living
120.7
index (100 = avg)
Nuclear Engineering in Waldorf, MD Overview
While Waldorf has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nuclear Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,443/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 Waldorf is approximately $60,350, growing to $142,426 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,454/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Nuclear Engineering Salary in Waldorf (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waldorf's cost of living index of 120.7 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nuclear Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $118,000 mid-career, $148,000 senior level.Waldorf adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Nuclear Engineering ROI Calculator for Waldorf
Estimate your return on investment for a Nuclear Engineering degree using local Waldorf tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Waldorf avg aid: $12,454/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,972
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,105
vs HS diploma in Waldorf
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waldorf
$1,102,028
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,207,000) minus total education cost ($104,972)
Student Loan Payoff for Nuclear Engineering in Waldorf
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waldorf for Nuclear Engineering
Waldorf State University
public
$10,152/yr
$40,608 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waldorf Community College
$5,704/yr
Top Employers for Nuclear Engineering in Waldorf
Waldorf offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Nuclear Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waldorf Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Nuclear Engineering Job Titles
Nuclear Engineering in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Waldorf
Petroleum Engineering
$60K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering Degree in Waldorf — 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 Waldorf.