Analysis
Is a $22,000 debt load reasonable for engineering work that pays in the mid-$70,000s? For Michigan's nuclear engineering program, the answer depends on how confident you are in those first-year figures. The reported four-year earnings of $92,072 are solid and verified, but the initial $73,724 estimate comes from pooling outcomes across just nine programs nationally—the field is that specialized. This puts you in a position where you're betting on a small, elite cohort rather than a well-documented career path.
The debt itself isn't alarming. At $22,000, it matches what other nuclear engineering programs charge and sits below the national median across all bachelor's degrees. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30, even the estimated first-year salary would make monthly payments manageable. By year four, when earnings hit $92,000, the financial picture becomes considerably more comfortable. Michigan's 18% acceptance rate and 1473 average SAT suggest this program draws serious students, which may explain why graduates—despite being few in number—command strong salaries.
The real risk isn't the debt; it's the narrowness of the field. Nuclear engineering offers limited positions, and if your child doesn't land one of those specialized roles, the degree's value proposition changes dramatically. The four-year earnings data suggest graduates who stay the course do well, but that "if" matters more here than in broader engineering fields.
Where University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | — | $92,072 | — |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor | $17,228 | $73,724* | $92,072 | $22,000 | — |
 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 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, approximately 18% 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.