by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying General Nuclear Engineering involves the study of Nuclear Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Systems For Controlling And Manipulating Nuclear Energy, Including Nuclear Power Plant Design, Fission Reactor Design, Fusion Reactor Design, Reactor Control And Safety Systems Design, Power Transfer Systems, Containment Vessels And Structures Design; And The Analysis Of Related Engineering Problems Such As Fission And Fusion Processes, Human And Environmental Factors, Construction, And Operational Considerations. Examples: [Nuclear Reactor Engineering], [Nuclear Fuels], [Nuclear Power Engineering], [Nuclear Radiation And Shielding], [Nuclear Instrumentation And Measurement]. Continue reading for the key facts every general nuclear engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general nuclear engineering programs.
Across the country, general nuclear engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 959 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Nuclear Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 33 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general nuclear engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general nuclear engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Nuclear Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general nuclear engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a general nuclear engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general nuclear engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 general 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general nuclear engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general nuclear engineering can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general nuclear engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general nuclear engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 general nuclear engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general 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 general nuclear engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general nuclear engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
