Nuclear Engineeringat The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Graduates earn $73,724/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Nuclear Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $815K; scenarios range from $708K to $853K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Tennessee
Your path in Nuclear Engineering from UT-Knoxville uniquely positions you at the heart of a specialized and critical industry. The program's proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is a significant differentiator, creating an unparalleled direct pipeline for internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation employment. This strong regional demand and the program's reputation within a niche field explain the robust career outcomes for graduates.
You'll develop highly specialized skills in reactor physics, radiation transport, and materials science, essential for roles in energy production, national security, and advanced research. While evolving technologies will undoubtedly shape the industry, your deep technical expertise in complex, highly regulated environments remains irreplaceable. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out research opportunities at ORNL or internships with TVA throughout your degree; these connections are invaluable.
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 University of Tennessee'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 University of Tennessee stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Tennessee
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Tennessee, 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 University of Tennessee
How does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Nuclear Engineering program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Nuclear Engineering graduates.
How vulnerable is Nuclear Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Nuclear Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville rank so high for Nuclear Engineering?
The #1 ranking out of 9 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.