100 Best Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Nuclear Engineering. A graph of 1.01M citations received by 60.9K academic papers made by 167 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Nuclear Engineering

#1 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Nuclear Engineering

#2 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Nuclear Engineering

#3 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

4. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Nuclear Engineering

#4 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

5. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Nuclear Engineering

#5 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

6. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Nuclear Engineering

#6 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Nuclear Engineering

#7 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

8. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Nuclear Engineering

#8 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

9. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Nuclear Engineering

#9 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

10. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Nuclear Engineering

#10 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

11. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Nuclear Engineering

#12 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

12. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Nuclear Engineering

#13 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

13. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Nuclear Engineering

#14 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

14. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Nuclear Engineering

#15 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

15. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Nuclear Engineering

#16 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

16. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Nuclear Engineering

#17 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

17. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Nuclear Engineering

#18 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

18. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Nuclear Engineering

#19 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

19. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Nuclear Engineering

#20 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

20. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Nuclear Engineering

#21 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

21. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Nuclear Engineering

#22 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

22. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Nuclear Engineering

#24 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $23,397
Receiving Aid: 68%
Average Aid: $60,201

23. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Nuclear Engineering

#25 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

24. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Nuclear Engineering

#26 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

25. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Nuclear Engineering

#27 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

26. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Nuclear Engineering

#29 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

27. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Nuclear Engineering

#30 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

28. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Nuclear Engineering

#31 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

29. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Nuclear Engineering

#32 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

30. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Nuclear Engineering

#33 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

31. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Nuclear Engineering

#34 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $35,940

32. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Nuclear Engineering

#37 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

33. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Nuclear Engineering

#38 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $9,922
Enrollment: 35,622

34. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Nuclear Engineering

#39 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

35. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Nuclear Engineering

#41 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

36. Colorado School of Mines

Colorado | Golden

For Nuclear Engineering

#44 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 97%

37. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Nuclear Engineering

#45 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

38. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Nuclear Engineering

#46 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

39. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Nuclear Engineering

#47 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

40. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Nuclear Engineering

#48 in North America

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

41. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Nuclear Engineering

#49 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

42. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Nuclear Engineering

#50 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

43. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Nuclear Engineering

#51 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

44. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri | Rolla

For Nuclear Engineering

#54 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1264
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

45. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Nuclear Engineering

#55 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

46. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Nuclear Engineering

#56 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

47. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois | Chicago

For Nuclear Engineering

#57 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $25,001

48. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Nuclear Engineering

#58 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

49. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Nuclear Engineering

#59 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

50. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Nuclear Engineering

#60 in North America

#233 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

51. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Nuclear Engineering

#61 in North America

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

52. University of Idaho

Idaho | Moscow

For Nuclear Engineering

#62 in North America

#243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1075
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

53. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Nuclear Engineering

#64 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

54. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Nuclear Engineering

#66 in North America

#249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,083

55. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Nuclear Engineering

#68 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

56. Lehigh University

Pennsylvania | Bethlehem

For Nuclear Engineering

#69 in North America

#271 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $33,289

57. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Nuclear Engineering

#71 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

58. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Nuclear Engineering

#72 in North America

#274 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

59. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Nuclear Engineering

#73 in North America

#278 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

60. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Nuclear Engineering

#74 in North America

#279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 81%

61. University of Nevada - Reno

Nevada | Reno

For Nuclear Engineering

#75 in North America

#284 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $6,658
Enrollment: 21,778

62. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Nuclear Engineering

#76 in North America

#285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

63. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Nuclear Engineering

#77 in North America

#292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 91%

64. Old Dominion University

Virginia | Norfolk

For Nuclear Engineering

#78 in North America

#301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 94%

65. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Nuclear Engineering

#79 in North America

#305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

66. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Nuclear Engineering

#81 in North America

#309 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

67. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Nuclear Engineering

#82 in North America

#310 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

68. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Nuclear Engineering

#83 in North America

#316 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

69. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Nuclear Engineering

#84 in North America

#320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

70. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Nuclear Engineering

#85 in North America

#321 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

71. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Nuclear Engineering

#86 in North America

#322 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $14,643

72. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Nuclear Engineering

#88 in North America

#334 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 86%

73. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Nuclear Engineering

#91 in North America

#351 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

74. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Nuclear Engineering

#93 in North America

#360 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

75. Mississippi State University

Mississippi | Starkville

For Nuclear Engineering

#94 in North America

#365 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

76. University of Dayton

Ohio | Dayton

For Nuclear Engineering

#95 in North America

#366 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1283
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $31,551

77. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Nuclear Engineering

#96 in North America

#368 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 92%

78. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Nuclear Engineering

#97 in North America

#370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

79. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Nuclear Engineering

#98 in North America

#377 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

80. Rochester Institute of Technology

New York State | Rochester

For Nuclear Engineering

#101 in North America

#386 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,753

81. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Nuclear Engineering

#102 in North America

#387 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

82. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Nuclear Engineering

#103 in North America

#396 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

83. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Nuclear Engineering

#104 in North America

#399 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

84. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Nuclear Engineering

#105 in North America

#401 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

85. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Nuclear Engineering

#106 in North America

#403 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

86. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Nuclear Engineering

#108 in North America

#406 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 84%

87. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For Nuclear Engineering

#109 in North America

#407 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

88. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Nuclear Engineering

#110 in North America

#409 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

89. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Nuclear Engineering

#111 in North America

#411 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

90. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Nevada | Las Vegas

For Nuclear Engineering

#112 in North America

#418 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 95%

91. United States Naval Academy

Maryland | Annapolis

For Nuclear Engineering

#113 in North America

#425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 0%

92. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Nuclear Engineering

#114 in North America

#435 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

93. University of Alabama in Huntsville

Alabama | Huntsville

For Nuclear Engineering

#116 in North America

#448 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1318
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 97%

94. Michigan Technological University

Michigan | Houghton

For Nuclear Engineering

#117 in North America

#458 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

95. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Nuclear Engineering

#119 in North America

#475 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,587

96. University of Wyoming

Wyoming | Laramie

For Nuclear Engineering

#120 in North America

#477 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $8,761
Enrollment: 10,913

97. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Nuclear Engineering

#121 in North America

#489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,342

98. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Nuclear Engineering

#122 in North America

#491 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 84%

99. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Nuclear Engineering

#125 in North America

#519 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Net Price: $47,799
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $28,005

100. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Nuclear Engineering

#126 in North America

#524 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

The best cities to study Nuclear Engineering in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Madison, Ann Arbor, and University Park.