by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 12 U.S. colleges awarded 189 degrees and certificates in Nuclear Engineering Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 59% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Nuclear Engineering Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $97,846 one year after completing, rising to $112,650 after four years.
A degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology covers Nuclear Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering, Knowledge And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineer And Other Professionals Operating Nuclear Facilities And Engaged In Nuclear Applications And Safety Procedures. Includes Instruction In Physics, Nuclear Science, Nuclear Systems, Nuclear Plant And Systems Design, Radiological Safety, Radiological Applications, And Applicable Law And Regulations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, nuclear engineering technology draws strong interest, with 189 degrees awarded annually. 12 colleges award nuclear engineering technology degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 109.
By level, the 189 awards include 6 certificates, 56 associate degrees, 111 bachelor’s degrees and 16 master’s degrees.
Women earned 10% of nuclear engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (18 of 189). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (112) and Hispanic or Latino (21).
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Nuclear Engineering Technology Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees and 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks nuclear engineering technology schools within 2 states. In all, 12 colleges offer nuclear engineering technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Nuclear Engineering Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common nuclear engineering technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 111 of the 189 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to nuclear engineering technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Quality Control Analysis and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a nuclear engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 56 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 111 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 16 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to nuclear engineering technology, at 44.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 44.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.1% |
| Some college courses | 7.3% |
| Master’s degree | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Nuclear Engineering Technology, with an average median salary of $98,869; the strongest outlook belongs to Nuclear Technicians, at 11.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Splicing Technician (Splicing Tech) and Optical Manufacturing Technician (Optical Manufacturing Tech).
The occupation related to nuclear engineering technology with the most projected jobs is Photonics Technicians, at 306,018.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | 91,226 | 10.3% |
| Nuclear Technicians | 83,637 | 11.8% |
Nuclear Engineering Technology graduates earn a median $97,846 one year after completing their program, $112,650 after four years and $132,222 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $97,846 |
| 4 years | $112,650 |
| 5 years | $132,222 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to nuclear engineering technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | $115,968 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Nuclear Technicians | $92,140 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
