Compare 13 Nuclear Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $83,920. Top programs: $100,427+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Nuclear Engineering tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $63,226 to $100,427—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Nuclear Engineering program leads with graduates earning $100,427, well above the $83,920 average. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor follows at $92,072, while University of Florida delivers $91,186—proving that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Florida graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even when parent loans are included, Florida maintains a 7.3% family burden—still excellent, proving top programs can be financially accessible.
Highest program earnings: $100,427
Strong outcomes with 63% acceptance
3.0% payment burden | Excellent
7.3% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $100,427 | 30 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Good | |
| #2 | $92,072 | 20 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #3 | University Of FloridaPublic | $91,186 | 21 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #4 | $87,858 | 43 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Good | |
| #5 | $85,629 | 15 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Good | |
| #6 | $85,216 | 19 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $84,928 | 69 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $84,290 | 30 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $84,030 | 46 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $82,731 | 33 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #11 | $74,831 | 25 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,462 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $74,540 | 19 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $63,226 | 27 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
