by our College Data Analytics TeamEnvironmental concerns and the need to find new forms of energy are important issues for most people. With a degree in Nuclear Engineering, you could make discoveries with the potential to change the world.
Nuclear Engineering students take classes in applied mathematics, physics, nuclear thermal-hydraulics, radiation, reactor materials, thermonuclear fusion, and energy conversion among others to learn how to harness nuclear energy for power and use radiation to make medical advances. Since the nuclear engineering field is fairly new and quickly advancing, there are endless possibilities to where this degree may lead.
A degree in Nuclear Engineering explores Nuclear Engineering. Read on to learn the important information every nuclear engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nuclear engineering programs.
In the U.S., nuclear engineering draws strong interest, with 959 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nuclear Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 33 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nuclear engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nuclear engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Nuclear Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nuclear engineering graduates commonly enter.
Nuclear Engineering is a field that is grounded in mathematics and science. A strong background in these fields will aid students as they take more advanced classes while earning their degree. It is also necessary that students have strong critical thinking and problem solving skills. When working with nuclear power, small errors may be dangerous, so you must be able to foresee any issues and pay close attention to detail.
Many nuclear engineers work full time at nuclear power plants, medical research labs, scientific and technical consulting services, or for the federal government. Most of these occupations allow engineers to work in a typical office setting. According to current professionals, overtime is common in the Nuclear Engineering profession.
When looking for a job after graduation, many employers value relevant experience. Internships or schools with cooperative-education engineering programs will allow students to learn Nuclear Engineering skills both in the classroom and in a hands-on environment.
Although a bachelor's degree will allow graduates to work within the field, you will need to obtain your master's if you wish to go into research and development.
Skills emphasized by a nuclear engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a nuclear engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nuclear engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 431 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 349 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 169 |
People currently working in careers related to nuclear engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 39.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 12.6% |
| Master’s degree | 12.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nuclear engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
The Nuclear Engineering field is growing at an average rate meaning graduates should not have a problem finding a job after graduation. Those will previous experience through internships or cooperative-education engineering programs will be more attractive to employers and may have an easier time being hired.
A degree in nuclear engineering can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to nuclear engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nuclear engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Nuclear Engineers | 75,904 | -3.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of nuclear engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $74,651 |
| 4 years | $86,581 |
| 5 years | $99,579 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nuclear engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nuclear engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineers | $134,531 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
With 33 different nuclear engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nuclear engineering school rankings to help you.
Those considering nuclear engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineering | 959 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
