2026 Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools
Looking for the best-value Nuclear Engineering programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 40 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nuclear Engineering Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Nuclear Engineering programs schools in the United States. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $24,879. Median earnings reach $102,772 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #2 place in the United States. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $18,471 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. Set against $18,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Nuclear Engineering ranking in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Purdue University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $72,424 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $23,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
A rank of #5 makes Kansas State University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $23,546. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read more about Kansas State University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,446. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $21,350. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign alumni report median earnings of $81,054 a decade after entry. Set against $21,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Florida landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Florida
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $143,372 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,125 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus has an acceptance rate of 58%. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #14 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $23,354. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants. See the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology profile
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #15 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. University Of South Carolina Columbia Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $24,472 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,177 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,335. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%. More on Colorado School Of Mines
The University Of Tennessee landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $23,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
University Of Utah landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $20,798. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants. More on University Of Utah
University Of Idaho ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. Located in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $23,844. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,670 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Get the full University Of Idaho report
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,792 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Troy, NY. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $102,051 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
Oregon State University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Oregon State University alumni report median earnings of $64,010 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. More on Oregon State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Idaho State University placed #25 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $24,640. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,608 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Read more about Idaho State University
Cornell University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. More on Cornell University
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Nuclear Engineering Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
South Carolina State University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. See the full South Carolina State University profile
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Wilberforce University placed #29 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. More on Wilberforce University
Washington State University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Washington State University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
United States Military Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on United States Naval Academy
University At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about University At Buffalo
Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pennsylvania State University World Campus report
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Tennessee Technological University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Tennessee Technological University
Naval Postgraduate School ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. See the full Naval Postgraduate School profile
Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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