2026 Best Value Nuclear Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Nuclear Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 40 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Texas A And M University College Station this year in the United States. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $18,471. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,097. That is a strong return on a $18,471 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $21,813. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $24,879. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,772. 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
Out of the 40 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Out of the 40 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median Nuclear Engineering program debt is $20,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,424. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $14,238. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,446. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $21,350. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $13,516. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $143,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 4%. See the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University has an acceptance rate of 55%. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Florida came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%. Get the full University Of Florida report
Missouri University Of Science And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $23,354. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,957 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report
The University Of Tennessee ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The University Of Tennessee Nuclear Engineering students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #13 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $24,472. Median earnings reach $62,177 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia has an acceptance rate of 60%. More on University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. University Of New Mexico Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $44,792 a decade after entry. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile
University Of Idaho landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,670 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
University Of Utah ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $20,798. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants. See the full University Of Utah profile
Colorado School Of Mines offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete their Nuclear Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on Colorado School Of Mines
Oregon State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,010. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Get the full Oregon State University report
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #19 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,125 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $22,000. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $83,648 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $102,051 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%. More on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Idaho State University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical Nuclear Engineering student debt is $24,640. Idaho State University alumni report median earnings of $45,608 a decade after entry. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Idaho State University
Tennessee Technological University placed #24 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Tennessee Technological University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Nuclear Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Washington State University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Washington State University
University At Buffalo came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University At Buffalo
Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management report
South Carolina State University placed #30 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full South Carolina State University report
Naval Postgraduate School came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Naval Postgraduate School report
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
United States Naval Academy came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full United States Naval Academy profile
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #34 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg report
Kansas State University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Kansas State University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Cornell University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Cornell University
Wilberforce University placed #38 among the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States. More on Wilberforce University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Pennsylvania State University World Campus
United States Military Academy ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nuclear Engineering schools. Get the full United States Military Academy report
Related Nuclear Engineering Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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