Nuclear Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Nuclear engineering graduates earn between $46,087 and $75,204 nationally, with Tennessee's program delivering the highest salaries despite costing just $18,109 per year. The field benefits from proximity to major nuclear facilities, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Southern Company's nuclear plants across the Southeast. University of Florida offers the most affordable path at $6,351 annually while maintaining a 91.5% graduation rate. Georgia Tech combines strong industry connections with a $13,289 net cost, positioning graduates for careers at utilities like Duke Energy and research institutions. These 15 programs under $20,000 serve regions where nuclear power generates significant electricity, from California's Diablo Canyon to the Tennessee Valley Authority's fleet of reactors.

Programs

$6,351 – $19,813

Net Price Range

$59,006

Avg. Program Earnings

70.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Nuclear Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
2	Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio	$7,349	$14,776	16.0%	45.1%
3	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
4	Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri	$13,773	$14,278	63.6%	81.5%
5	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
6	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$14,832	$17,228	93.2%	17.7%
7	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
8	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$15,201	$16,004	84.9%	44.8%
9	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
10	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
11	Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho	$17,324	$8,356	38.3%
12	University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, New Mexico	$17,478	$8,115	52.5%	96.1%
13	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
14	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
15	South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina	$18,268	$11,060	29.4%	83.9%
16	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
17	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts	$19,813	$60,156	96.1%	4.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic salary difference between nuclear engineering programs?

University of Tennessee graduates earn $75,204 annually compared to Oregon State Cascades' $46,087, reflecting regional job markets and program focus. Tennessee benefits from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and TVA nuclear operations nearby. Schools near major nuclear facilities typically see higher starting salaries. Regional utility companies and government contractors drive compensation differences across states.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable nuclear engineering programs?

Top performers like Georgia Tech achieve 92.3% graduation rates while South Carolina State manages only 29.4%. University of California Berkeley and University of Michigan both exceed 92% completion rates. Public research universities with strong engineering infrastructure typically outperform smaller programs. The 63-point spread reflects program rigor and student support systems.

Is nuclear engineering admission competitive at budget-friendly schools?

UC Berkeley accepts just 11.33% of applicants while New Mexico admits 96.07%, showing vast selectivity differences. Georgia Tech's 17.13% acceptance rate rivals elite private schools. Missouri S&T accepts 81.49% despite strong industry placement. Admission difficulty often correlates with program reputation rather than cost.

Where do nuclear engineering students face the lowest debt burdens?

Purdue students graduate with median debt of $20,250, while Oregon State Cascades averages $27,000. Most programs keep debt under $23,250 nationally. In-state students at schools like North Carolina State pay just $8,895 annually. Public university pricing helps nuclear engineering students avoid excessive borrowing compared to other engineering fields.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.