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Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,014/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,400 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #7 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 $882K $841K $727K
Earnings Multiple 3.6x 3.4x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,907
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $77,014 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute come in 6% above the national median of $72,611 for Nuclear Engineering programs.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 18% 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 $77,014 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Nuclear Engineering is offered at just 9 schools in our analysis. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's #7 ranking should be read in that context.

A 27% earnings increase from $77,014 to $97,907 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

A 58% admission rate makes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

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) 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) Purdue University-Main Campus ($63,226)

Other Majors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Computer Science ($104,943) Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($94,722) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($85,172) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,412) Mathematics ($80,196) Chemical Engineering ($78,263) Industrial Engineering ($74,787) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($74,427)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Nuclear Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
At 57/100, 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
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 →