2027 Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

[Nuclear Engineering](/majors/engineering/nuclear-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nuclear engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nuclear engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nuclear engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nuclear Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in nuclear engineering in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nuclear engineering schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,879 to complete the nuclear engineering program here. Nuclear Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,879 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nuclear engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. 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 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Nuclear Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nuclear engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $73,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 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.