100 Best Nuclear Engineering schools in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

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 694K citations received by 51.4K academic papers made by 155 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: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Nuclear Engineering

#2 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

3. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Nuclear Engineering

#3 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

4. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Nuclear Engineering

#4 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

5. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Nuclear Engineering

#5 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Nuclear Engineering

#6 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Nuclear Engineering

#7 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

8. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Nuclear Engineering

#8 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

9. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Nuclear Engineering

#9 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

10. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Nuclear Engineering

#11 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

11. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Nuclear Engineering

#12 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

12. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Nuclear Engineering

#13 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

13. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Nuclear Engineering

#14 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

14. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Nuclear Engineering

#15 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

15. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Nuclear Engineering

#16 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,280

16. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Nuclear Engineering

#17 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

17. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Nuclear Engineering

#18 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

18. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Nuclear Engineering

#19 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

19. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Nuclear Engineering

#20 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

20. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Nuclear Engineering

#21 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

21. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Nuclear Engineering

#22 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

22. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Nuclear Engineering

#23 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

23. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Nuclear Engineering

#24 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

24. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Nuclear Engineering

#25 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

25. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Nuclear Engineering

#26 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

26. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Nuclear Engineering

#28 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

27. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Nuclear Engineering

#30 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

28. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Nuclear Engineering

#31 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

29. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Nuclear Engineering

#33 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,127

30. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Nuclear Engineering

#34 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

31. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Nuclear Engineering

#35 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,775

32. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Nuclear Engineering

#37 in North America

#135 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $9,260
Enrollment: 34,292

33. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Nuclear Engineering

#38 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $20,755
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $59,192

34. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Nuclear Engineering

#41 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

35. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Nuclear Engineering

#42 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

36. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Nuclear Engineering

#43 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

37. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Nuclear Engineering

#44 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

38. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Nuclear Engineering

#45 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

39. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Nuclear Engineering

#47 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

40. Colorado School of Mines

Colorado | Golden

For Nuclear Engineering

#48 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1409
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 98%

41. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Nuclear Engineering

#49 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

42. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Nuclear Engineering

#50 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

43. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri | Rolla

For Nuclear Engineering

#52 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1272
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

44. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Nuclear Engineering

#53 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

45. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois | Chicago

For Nuclear Engineering

#54 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $28,702

46. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Nuclear Engineering

#55 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

47. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Nuclear Engineering

#56 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

48. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Nuclear Engineering

#57 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 84%

49. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Nuclear Engineering

#59 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

50. Lehigh University

Pennsylvania | Bethlehem

For Nuclear Engineering

#61 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $30,453

51. University of Idaho

Idaho | Moscow

For Nuclear Engineering

#62 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1120
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 100%

52. Old Dominion University

Virginia | Norfolk

For Nuclear Engineering

#64 in North America

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 92%

53. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Nuclear Engineering

#65 in North America

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

54. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Nuclear Engineering

#66 in North America

#249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

55. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Nuclear Engineering

#67 in North America

#257 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 79%

56. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Nuclear Engineering

#69 in North America

#264 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

57. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Nuclear Engineering

#70 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

58. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Nuclear Engineering

#71 in North America

#275 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

59. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Nuclear Engineering

#73 in North America

#283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

60. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Nuclear Engineering

#74 in North America

#284 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

61. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Nuclear Engineering

#75 in North America

#285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1120
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%

62. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Nuclear Engineering

#76 in North America

#286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

63. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Nuclear Engineering

#78 in North America

#291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

64. University of Nevada - Reno

Nevada | Reno

For Nuclear Engineering

#79 in North America

#292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $7,829
Enrollment: 20,945

65. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Nuclear Engineering

#80 in North America

#299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

66. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Nuclear Engineering

#81 in North America

#300 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

67. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Nuclear Engineering

#83 in North America

#311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

68. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Nuclear Engineering

#84 in North America

#312 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

69. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Nuclear Engineering

#85 in North America

#323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

70. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Nuclear Engineering

#86 in North America

#325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

71. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Nuclear Engineering

#88 in North America

#327 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

72. University of Dayton

Ohio | Dayton

For Nuclear Engineering

#90 in North America

#339 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1261
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $30,590

73. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Nuclear Engineering

#91 in North America

#342 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

74. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Nuclear Engineering

#92 in North America

#349 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

75. Mississippi State University

Mississippi | Starkville

For Nuclear Engineering

#93 in North America

#350 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

76. Rochester Institute of Technology

New York State | Rochester

For Nuclear Engineering

#94 in North America

#361 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,600

77. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Nuclear Engineering

#95 in North America

#366 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

78. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Nuclear Engineering

#96 in North America

#368 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

79. United States Naval Academy

Maryland | Annapolis

For Nuclear Engineering

#97 in North America

#371 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 0%

80. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Nuclear Engineering

#99 in North America

#375 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

81. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Nuclear Engineering

#100 in North America

#377 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

82. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For Nuclear Engineering

#101 in North America

#382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $8,537
Enrollment: 19,722

83. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Nuclear Engineering

#102 in North America

#390 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

84. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Nuclear Engineering

#103 in North America

#394 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

85. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Nuclear Engineering

#104 in North America

#395 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

86. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Nevada | Las Vegas

For Nuclear Engineering

#105 in North America

#398 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 96%

87. University of Alabama in Huntsville

Alabama | Huntsville

For Nuclear Engineering

#109 in North America

#415 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1328
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

88. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Nuclear Engineering

#111 in North America

#425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

89. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Nuclear Engineering

#112 in North America

#426 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

90. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Nuclear Engineering

#113 in North America

#436 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

91. University of Wyoming

Wyoming | Laramie

For Nuclear Engineering

#114 in North America

#448 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $8,942
Enrollment: 11,100

92. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Nuclear Engineering

#115 in North America

#456 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

93. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Nuclear Engineering

#116 in North America

#460 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

94. Seattle University

Washington | Seattle

For Nuclear Engineering

#117 in North America

#465 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $35,412

95. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Nuclear Engineering

#119 in North America

#473 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Net Price: $46,876
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $27,059

96. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Nuclear Engineering

#120 in North America

#478 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

97. Michigan Technological University

Michigan | Houghton

For Nuclear Engineering

#121 in North America

#482 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 100%

98. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Nuclear Engineering

#124 in North America

#501 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 85%

99. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Nuclear Engineering

#126 in North America

#518 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,479

100. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Nuclear Engineering

#127 in North America

#519 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $22,042
Enrollment: 26,809

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