Compare 5 Nuclear Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $84,746.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Nuclear Engineering tells a different story. Across 5 programs in the South, earnings range from $74,540 to $91,186—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
The University of Florida's Nuclear Engineering program leads with graduates earning $91,186, despite having the most selective admissions at 24%. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville follows at $87,858 with 46% acceptance, while Georgia Tech delivers $85,216 with just 16% admission rates. The average across all programs is $84,746.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Florida graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. When parent loans are included, UF maintains a 7.3% family burden, proving the top program can also be the most affordable choice.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of FloridaPublic | $91,186 | 21 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #2 | $87,858 | 43 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Good | |
| #3 | $85,216 | 19 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $84,928 | 69 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $74,540 | 19 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | 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 →
