2027 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools

[General Nuclear Engineering](/majors/engineering/nuclear-engineering/general-nuclear-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general nuclear engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value General Nuclear Engineering School for You
The general nuclear engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general nuclear engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general nuclear engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general nuclear engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,879 in student loans. General 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. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general nuclear engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $112,747. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general nuclear engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,350 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $81,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Idaho State University earned the #6 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $63,226. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $74,540. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $23,354. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $77,947. Set against $23,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for general nuclear engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #12 for value in general nuclear engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $73,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for general nuclear engineering. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University came in at #14 for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $69,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $18,471. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $66,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,471 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #16 spot for general 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, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #17 for value in general nuclear engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $70,326. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $24,799 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $78,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #19 position for value in general nuclear engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general nuclear engineering graduates make about $77,014. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.