WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's0% vs national median240 grads tracked

Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University

Ranked 6th of 11 bachelor's programs in Nuclear Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$76,831
middle 50%: $58,734 – $89,709
Median · 5 years out
$102,869
middle 50%: $82,803 – $127,902
Median · 10 years out
$131,869
middle 50%: $100,888 – $163,785

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Nuclear Engineering (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Purdue University's bachelor's program in Nuclear Engineering earn a median $76,831 one year after graduating, rising to $131,869 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 0% above the national median of $102,869 for this field, ranking 6th of 11 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
4 yrs
≈ $4,304 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$112,487 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Institute of Technology
$108,573 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$106,181 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$104,999 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$104,847 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$102,472 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$99,617 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$98,905 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$90,230 · 5 yrs out
South Carolina State University
$86,929 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Purdue University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out

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