Nuclear Engineeringat North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Graduates earn $74,540/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Nuclear Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $730K; scenarios range from $645K to $758K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at NC State
As one of only a handful of nuclear engineering programs nationwide, NC State offers a highly specialized path within a critical energy sector. Your education here benefits from the university's strong engineering reputation and deep research ties, preparing you for roles in power generation, national security, and advanced reactor development. The program's connections help facilitate entry into established firms and government agencies, where the demand for specialized expertise remains consistent.
While the AI risk rating might seem high, it largely points to the increasing automation of design, simulation, and data analysis tasks. Your unique value will lie in complex problem-solving, regulatory compliance, and system integration – skills AI can augment but not replicate. Focus on interdisciplinary studies and practical experience during your degree, ensuring you graduate ready to navigate the evolving landscape and lead future energy innovations.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Nuclear Engineering
How NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at NC State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nuclear Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Nuclear Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Nuclear Engineering at NC State
What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
At 59/100, 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
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.