2026 Best Value Nuclear Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among nuclear engineering schools in the United States. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $24,879. Nuclear Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nuclear engineering schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Nuclear Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

3

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nuclear engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nuclear engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $22,000. Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $112,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nuclear engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $21,350. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

6

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho came in at #6 for value in nuclear engineering this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. 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. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for nuclear engineering value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for nuclear engineering. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $74,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

9

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #9 spot for nuclear engineering value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. 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.

10

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nuclear engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $73,724. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

11

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best values for nuclear engineering. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for nuclear engineering graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

12

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University came in at #12 for value in nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 77%.

13

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nuclear engineering schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $18,471 to complete the nuclear engineering program here. Early-career nuclear engineering graduates make about $66,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

14

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #14 spot for nuclear engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.