Analysis
Georgia Tech's nuclear engineering program combines relatively modest debt—$24,879, just above the national median—with strong earning potential that suggests a manageable financial path. Based on comparable nuclear engineering programs nationally, first-year earnings around $73,724 translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross income. By year four, when median earnings reach $85,216, this already favorable ratio improves further.
The caveat matters here: these first-year figures come from peer programs nationally since Georgia Tech's nuclear engineering cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish. Nuclear engineering is an inherently niche field—only 23 schools nationwide offer it at the bachelor's level—so small sample sizes are the norm, not the exception. What we do know is that Tech graduates are reaching $85,000+ by their fourth year, a solid trajectory in a specialized technical field with limited competition.
For families weighing this investment, the combination of Georgia Tech's engineering reputation, relatively low debt burden, and strong mid-career outcomes makes this one of the more defensible engineering paths financially. The 16% admission rate means getting in is the real barrier, not the debt burden once enrolled.
Where Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all nuclear engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | — | $85,216 | — |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $81,134 | $100,427 | +24% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $73,724 | $87,858 | +19% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $66,604 | $84,928 | +28% |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $77,014 | $84,290 | +9% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Nuclear Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta | $11,764 | $73,724* | $85,216 | $24,879 | — |
 University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign | $16,004 | $81,134* | $100,427 | $21,350 | 0.26 |
 Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla | $14,278 | $77,947* | $74,831 | $23,354 | 0.30 |
 Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy | $61,884 | $77,014* | $84,290 | $19,500 | 0.25 |
 North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh | $8,895 | $74,540* | — | $23,250 | 0.31 |
 The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville | $13,484 | $73,724* | $87,858 | $23,000 | 0.31 |
| National Median | — | $73,724* | — | $23,000 | 0.31 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with nuclear engineering graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 9 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.