Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

With only three schools in New York offering nuclear engineering and just 23 nationwide, RPI's program operates in an exceptionally specialized field—which makes the $77,000 starting salary both impressive and worth scrutinizing. At 75th percentile nationally for earnings, graduates enter a niche market with clear demand, though the modest 9% earnings growth to $84,000 by year four suggests compensation levels out quickly rather than following the trajectory some engineering fields enjoy.

The $19,500 debt load produces a comfortable 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below concerning thresholds for technical fields. However, this figure sits at the 90th percentile for debt nationally among nuclear engineering programs, meaning most comparable programs send students out with less borrowed. Given RPI's selective profile and relatively low Pell Grant percentage, it's likely that many families can manage this debt, but those relying heavily on loans should note that cheaper paths into this career exist.

The core question is whether nuclear engineering's specialized nature works for or against your child. The solid starting salary and manageable debt support immediate financial stability, but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. If your child is genuinely drawn to nuclear technology—power generation, naval reactors, medical applications—this program delivers strong entry-level outcomes. If they're simply chasing engineering salaries, broader disciplines like mechanical or electrical offer more flexibility and similar early earnings with more robust data to support the decision.