2026 Best Nuclear Engineering Schools

#1

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nuclear Engineering programs schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $13,516. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

#2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

Out of the 40 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #2 spot. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $24,879. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#3

Texas A And M University College Station

College Station, TX

Out of the 40 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #3 spot. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $18,471 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station

#4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on this year's Nuclear Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $21,350. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report

#5

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY

The strong Nuclear Engineering programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report

#6

University Of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $14,238. Read more about University Of California Berkeley

#7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh

Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report

#8

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus

#9

University Of Wisconsin Madison

Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile

#10

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $27,000. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

#11

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $24,521. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines

#12

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $23,393. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile

#13

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. More on University Of Florida

#15

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University placed #15 among Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. Get the full Kansas State University report

#16

Ohio State University Main Campus

Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nuclear Engineering schools. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. More on Ohio State University Main Campus

#17

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#18

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 in this year's ranking. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

#19

The University Of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #19 position. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee

#20

University Of South Carolina Columbia

Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Nuclear Engineering schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, SC. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. University Of South Carolina Columbia Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $24,472 in debt. Get the full University Of South Carolina Columbia report

#21

University Of Idaho

Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. University Of Idaho is a public school based in Moscow, ID. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. University Of Idaho Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $23,844 in debt. See the full University Of Idaho profile

#22

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. University Of Utah posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. University Of Utah Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $20,798 in debt. Get the full University Of Utah report

#23

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Read the full report on Oregon State University

#24

University Of New Mexico Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $19,738. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile

#25

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $24,640. More on Idaho State University

#25

University Of Maryland College Park

University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. More on University Of Maryland College Park

#26

Naval Postgraduate School

Naval Postgraduate School landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. See the full Naval Postgraduate School profile

#27

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nuclear Engineering schools. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

#28

University Of Washington Seattle Campus

University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

#29

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #29 in this year's ranking. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile

#30

Cornell University

Cornell University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Cornell University

#31

United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy did well this year, earning the #31 position. More on United States Military Academy

#32

University At Buffalo

University At Buffalo ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nuclear Engineering schools. Read the full report on University At Buffalo

#33

United States Naval Academy

United States Naval Academy placed #33 among Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full United States Naval Academy report

#34

Pennsylvania State University World Campus

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #34 in this year's ranking. More on Pennsylvania State University World Campus

#35

Wilberforce University

Wilberforce University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Wilberforce University

#36

Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University placed #36 among Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Tennessee Technological University profile

#37

South Carolina State University

South Carolina State University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about South Carolina State University

#38

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg report

#39

Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management

Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management did well this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management report

#40

Washington State University

Washington State University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Washington State University