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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
$21,197 Avg Student Debt
$75,738 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Bachelor's Degree Badge [General Nuclear Engineering](/majors/engineering/nuclear-engineering/general-nuclear-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general nuclear engineering students.

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2026 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general nuclear engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general nuclear engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for general nuclear engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,879 in student loans. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,879 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

3
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general nuclear engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $20,500. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general nuclear engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,350 in student loans. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $81,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for general nuclear engineering. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $77,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

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6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for general nuclear engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $112,747. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

7

University Of California Berkeley landed the #7 spot for general nuclear engineering value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #8 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

9

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $74,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $19,738. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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11

The University Of Tennessee earned the #11 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $73,724 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

12

Oregon State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $27,000. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $69,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

13

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #13 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,471 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $66,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,471 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

14

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.

15

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #15 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $77,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.

Other General Nuclear Engineering Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Nuclear Engineering rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Nuclear Engineering
Associate's Degrees in General Nuclear Engineering
Master's Degrees in General Nuclear Engineering
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View All General Nuclear Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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