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Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,226/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,400 openings/yr)
ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 9 Nuclear Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nuclear Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $663K $645K $582K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.6x 16.1x 14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.6x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,250
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,226/yr, roughly in line with the $72,611 national median for Nuclear Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 16.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nuclear Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $63,226 far exceeding the $20,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Nuclear Engineering is offered at just 9 schools in our analysis. Purdue University-Main Campus's #9 ranking should be read in that context.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

A 50% admission rate makes Purdue University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 39,637 in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Nuclear engineers $127,520/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 9 schools offering Nuclear Engineering →

Nuclear Engineering at Other Schools

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($81,134) Missouri University of Science and Technology ($77,947) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($77,014) North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($74,540) The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ($73,724) Oregon State University ($69,657) Oregon State University-Cascades Campus ($69,657) Texas A & M University-College Station ($66,604)

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Nuclear Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 55/100, the score looks reasonable — but Nuclear Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →