2026 Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in nuclear engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $17,669. Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nuclear engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,879 in student loans. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for nuclear engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nuclear engineering program here. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for strong value in nuclear engineering will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for nuclear engineering. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $112,747 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

6

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #6 for value in nuclear engineering this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $23,354. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $77,947. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for nuclear engineering value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $21,350. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $81,134. That is a strong return on a $21,350 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho earned the #8 position for value in nuclear engineering this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $23,844. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $43,246. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #9 position for value in nuclear engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the nuclear engineering program here. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

10

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #10 for value in nuclear engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $74,540. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

11

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value 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 nuclear engineering graduates is $19,738. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

12

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University earned the #12 position for value in nuclear engineering this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee came in at #13 for value in nuclear engineering this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $73,724. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

14

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for value in nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

15

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #15 spot for nuclear engineering value this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $69,657. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

16

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #16 position for value in nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $18,471. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $66,604. That is a strong return on a $18,471 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

17

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines placed #17 among the best values for nuclear engineering. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $76,298. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #18 for value in nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $70,326. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

19

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in nuclear engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

20

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #20 among the best values for nuclear engineering. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $77,014. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.