Nuclear Engineering
Quick Facts: Nuclear Engineering Training
Where it's offered
Nuclear Engineering programs are offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $70,326/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to Nuclear Engineering, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 1 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 48/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Nuclear Engineering Graduates Do
Your career begins at the heart of modern power generation. As a junior nuclear engineer, you’ll work in a highly secure environment like a power plant or a national lab. Your days will involve using complex computer software to model reactor behavior, monitoring control room systems to ensure safe operation, or developing procedures for the safe handling and disposal of nuclear materials.
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After several years, you can advance to a senior engineering role, leading projects like reactor upgrades or specializing in nuclear medicine or fusion research. Many experienced engineers transition into leadership. As an engineering manager, your focus shifts from direct technical work to coordinating large-scale projects, managing budgets, and supervising teams. For those with a passion for academia, the path to becoming a postsecondary engineering teacher is also a strong, growing option.
While AI tools may help with initial design simulations and data analysis, the critical, hands-on oversight of high-stakes nuclear systems requires human judgment. The responsibility for safety and operational integrity ensures your expertise remains essential.
If Nuclear Engineering doesn't fit your goals, programs like Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Science, and Mechatronics & Robotics draw from adjacent skill sets.
Find Nuclear Engineering Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Nuclear Engineering is offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Nuclear Engineering Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Nuclear Engineering programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA |
59 52–61 |
Highest Earning Nuclear Engineering Programs
Schools where Nuclear Engineering graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $70,326/yr | 59 |
Best ROI for Nuclear Engineering
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Nuclear Engineering.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 42.8x | $70,326/yr | 59 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Nuclear Engineering degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.