Cheapest Nuclear Engineering Colleges

Nuclear engineering programs span an unusual cost spectrum, from University of Florida's remarkable $6,351 net price to schools reaching beyond $23,000 annually. This 260% cost difference reflects the field's concentration at major research universities, where reactor facilities and specialized laboratories drive program expenses. Florida's affordability stands out particularly given the state's growing nuclear workforce needs, with Turkey Point and Crystal River facilities creating steady demand for graduates. Georgia Tech follows at $13,289 despite its Atlanta location, while private options remain limited in this specialized field. Most programs cluster at public universities where federal research partnerships help subsidize the expensive infrastructure nuclear engineering requires. Tennessee graduates command the highest starting salaries at $75,204, reflecting the state's Oak Ridge National Laboratory connections and the broader Southeast nuclear corridor. The field's technical demands mean completion rates vary significantly, from Wilberforce's 16% to UC Berkeley's 93%, highlighting how program rigor intersects with institutional support systems.

Programs

$6,351 – $33,139

Net Price Range

$59,216

Avg. Program Earnings

72.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 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%
18	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
19	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
20	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$23,156	$13,570	71.5%	86.2%
21	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139	$61,884	83.2%	64.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost gap between the cheapest and most expensive nuclear engineering programs?

University of Florida's $6,351 net price compared to programs exceeding $20,000 reflects both state funding models and research infrastructure costs. Public universities with established nuclear facilities can spread fixed costs across larger student populations. Florida's in-state tuition advantage becomes even more pronounced when considering the state's nuclear industry presence, making the investment particularly strategic for residents.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in nuclear engineering?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger completion rates, with schools like Georgia Tech achieving 92.3% graduation rates at $13,289 net cost. However, University of Florida breaks this pattern, delivering 91.5% graduation rates at just $6,351. The most concerning outlier is Wilberforce University, where only 16% of students complete their degrees despite moderate costs.

Where do nuclear engineering graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Tennessee graduates lead at $75,204 annually, likely reflecting Oak Ridge National Laboratory's influence and the Southeast's nuclear industry concentration. Georgia Tech follows at $69,338, while Illinois graduates earn $69,535. These figures significantly exceed the national average for engineering fields, demonstrating nuclear engineering's specialized value in the job market.

Is nuclear engineering more affordable at public universities than other engineering disciplines?

Public universities dominate affordable nuclear engineering options, with 14 of the 15 cheapest programs being publicly funded institutions. This concentration reflects the field's research intensity and federal funding connections that private institutions struggle to match. Average net prices of $15,000-$17,000 at major public research universities remain competitive given the specialized facilities these programs require.

Does acceptance rate indicate program selectivity in nuclear engineering?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically, from UC Berkeley's 11.33% to New Mexico's 96.07%, reflecting both institutional selectivity and program availability. Georgia Tech accepts just 17.13% of applicants while maintaining top-tier outcomes, while Missouri S&T's 81.49% acceptance rate suggests more accessible entry points. These differences often correlate with state nuclear industry needs and university research priorities.

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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.