2026 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Nuclear Engineering](/majors/engineering/nuclear-engineering/general-nuclear-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general nuclear engineering students.
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2026 Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general nuclear engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Nuclear Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general nuclear engineering in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for general nuclear engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,879 to complete the general nuclear engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general nuclear engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,879 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general nuclear engineering schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. General Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $74,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in general nuclear engineering will find it at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #4. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for general nuclear engineering graduates is $23,000. General Nuclear Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $73,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Narrow General Nuclear Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
