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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Nuclear Engineering Schools

14 Colleges in the United States
855 General Nuclear Engineering Degrees Awarded
$72,300 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Nuclear Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general nuclear engineering programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools to find the best for general nuclear engineering students.

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Choosing a Great General Nuclear Engineering School

Best General Nuclear Engineering Schools

The school you choose for general nuclear engineering can shape your career. To help, we created our Best General Nuclear Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

General Nuclear Engineering Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in General Nuclear Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in General Nuclear Engineering
Master's Degrees in General Nuclear Engineering
Doctoral Degrees in General Nuclear Engineering

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Nuclear Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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Best Schools for General Nuclear Engineering in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general nuclear engineering education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in General Nuclear Engineering

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in general nuclear engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 56 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,134. Students borrow a median of $21,350 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general nuclear engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for general nuclear engineering. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 57 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their general nuclear engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general nuclear engineering from University Of California Berkeley

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general nuclear engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 39 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general nuclear engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 general nuclear engineering students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

5

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general nuclear engineering, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 general nuclear engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $66,604. Typical student debt for the program is $18,471. More information about a degree in general nuclear engineering from Texas A And M University College Station

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general nuclear engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 58 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general nuclear engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $112,747 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 20 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at University Of Florida

8

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #8 spot for general nuclear engineering this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. About 82% of students finish within six years. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 11 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general nuclear engineering program make about $76,298 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,521. See the full general nuclear engineering program report for Colorado School Of Mines

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general nuclear engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. More information about a degree in general nuclear engineering from University Of Wisconsin Madison

10
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for general nuclear engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,226 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at Purdue University Main Campus

11

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #11 among the best general nuclear engineering schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 77 general nuclear engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general nuclear engineering degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $74,540 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

12

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #12 among the best general nuclear engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 34 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Typical student debt for the program is $24,879. More information about a degree in general nuclear engineering from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #13 position for general nuclear engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 27 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general nuclear engineering degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $70,326 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

14

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #14 for general nuclear engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Troy. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 general nuclear engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $77,014 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full general nuclear engineering details for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

15

The University Of Tennessee placed #15 among the best general nuclear engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 83 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Graduates of the general nuclear engineering program make about $73,724 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full general nuclear engineering details for The University Of Tennessee

16

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #16 position for general nuclear engineering this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates 64% of students within six years. About 26 general nuclear engineering degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $77,947. Typical student debt for the program is $23,354. Get the full general nuclear engineering details for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

17

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #17 among the best general nuclear engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 30 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738. More information about a degree in general nuclear engineering from University Of New Mexico Main Campus

18

University Of Idaho placed #18 among the best general nuclear engineering schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. About 57% of students finish within six years. University Of Idaho awarded about 13 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general nuclear engineering degree from University Of Idaho earn around $43,246 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete this degree. Get the full general nuclear engineering details for University Of Idaho

19

Oregon State University placed #19 among the best general nuclear engineering schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. About 70% of students finish within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 50 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general nuclear engineering program make about $69,657 in their early career. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general nuclear engineering program at Oregon State University

20

Idaho State University came in at #20 for general nuclear engineering this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Idaho State University awarded about 23 general nuclear engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general nuclear engineering program make about $51,446 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete this degree. See the full general nuclear engineering program report for Idaho State University

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General Nuclear Engineering by Region

Explore the best general nuclear engineering schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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General Nuclear Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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