Compare 13 Nuclear Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $93,721. Top programs: $116,047+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Nuclear Engineering tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $59K to $116K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The nearly $57K spread between the best and worst outcomes is a reminder that the program you choose matters far more than the name on the diploma.
Topping the list, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Nuclear Engineering program delivers $116K in median earnings—well above the $94K field average. Georgia Tech follows closely at $115K, and Texas A&M rounds out the top three at $103K. All three are public universities, reinforcing that program-level outcomes—not selectivity or prestige—drive what graduates actually earn.
Strong earnings are only half the equation. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, student loan borrowers carry $19,500 in program debt and face just a 2.9% payment burden—squarely in the 'Excellent' affordability tier. For families factoring in parent loans, NC State leads with an 8.2% combined burden, also landing in the 'Good' tier. Want to know how to compare programs on metrics like these? Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →
Highest program earnings: $116,047
Strong outcomes ($103,438) with 57% acceptance
2.9% payment burden | Excellent
8.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $116,047 | 23 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Good | |
| #2 | $114,772 | 15 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Good | |
| #3 | $103,438 | 71 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #4 | $102,449 | 15 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Good | |
| #5 | $100,212 | 16 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #6 | $99,139 | 42 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Good | |
| #7 | $94,365 | 22 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $94,330 | 19 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #9 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $94,105 | 24 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Good |
| #10 | $89,929 | 19 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,462 | Good | |
| #11 | $87,239 | 14 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $63,226 | 29 | — | — | — | — | |
| #13 | University Of FloridaPublic | $59,124 | 12 | — | — | — | — |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
