Post job

Nuclear reactor inspector education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a nuclear reactor inspector. Nuclear reactor inspectors usually study business, nuclear engineering, or mechanical engineering. 50% of nuclear reactor inspectors hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 112 real nuclear reactor inspector resumes to see exactly what nuclear reactor inspector education sections show.

The most common colleges for nuclear reactor inspectors are the University of Washington and the University of Washington.

There are also many online nuclear reactor inspector courses to help get the education required to be a nuclear reactor inspector.

What education do you need to become a nuclear reactor inspector?

What degree do you need to be a nuclear reactor inspector?

The most common degree for nuclear reactor inspectors is bachelor's degree, with 50% of nuclear reactor inspectors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 28% and associate degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 50%
  • Associate, 28%
  • High School Diploma, 10%
  • Master's, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a nuclear reactor inspector?

You should major in business to become a nuclear reactor inspector. 12% of nuclear reactor inspectors major in business. Other common majors for a nuclear reactor inspector include nuclear engineering and mechanical engineering.

Most common colleges for nuclear reactor inspectors

Nuclear reactor inspectors often get their degrees at University of Washington, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Here are the most common colleges for nuclear reactor inspectors in the US based on their resumes.
Nuclear reactor inspector common collegePercentages
University of Washington8.70%
Missouri University of Science and Technology8.70%
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology8.70%
Purdue University4.35%
George Washington University, The4.35%

Best majors for nuclear reactor inspectors

Best colleges for nuclear reactor inspectors

The best colleges for nuclear reactor inspectors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

A nuclear reactor inspector with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for nuclear reactor inspectors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become nuclear reactor inspectors.

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

2. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

9. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

10. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,440

Enrollment

6,785

20 best online courses for nuclear reactor inspectors

Advertising disclosure

1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

coursera

This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

2. Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning

coursera

This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. This course...

3. Non-Destructive Testing Level II Full Course NDT Course

udemy
4.2
(266)

Learn all the NDT level II testing methods and earn a valuable certification. Quizzes and interview questions included...

4. Reactive Programming in Modern Java using Project Reactor

udemy
4.4
(832)

Learn to write fast performing Asynchronous and Non Blocking code using the Reactive Programming principles and Reactor...

5. Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy

coursera

The course introduces the three key spectroscopic methods used by chemists and biochemists to analyse the molecular and electronic structure of atoms and molecules. These are UV/Visible , Infra-red (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The content is presented using short focussed and interactive screencast presentations accompanied by formative quizzes to probe understanding of the key concepts presented. Numerous exercises are provided to facilitate mastery of each topic...

6. Build Image Quality Inspection using AWS Lookout for Vision

coursera

In this guided project, you will learn how to build automated image quality inspection using Amazon Lookout for Vision. Amazon Lookout for Vision is a Machine Learning as a Service from Amazon Web services which you could leverage to do Image Analytics and address interesting use cases such as drone detection, defect detection, object detection, smile detection, fall detection without writing a single line of code. Please note: As part of this course, you would need your AWS Account to complete...

7. SonarQube SonarCloud - Continuous Inspection and Code Review

udemy
4.3
(867)

Automated continuous inspection and code quality. Sonar Qube and Sonar Cloud to analyse 25+ languages in real time...

8. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle

udemy
4.7
(681)

This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...

9. Electrodynamics: Electric and Magnetic Fields

coursera

This course is a continuation of Electrodynamics: An Introduction and Electrodynamics: Analysis of Electric Fields. Here, we will introduce magnetostatics and relate it to the material we learned previously. In addition, we will cover the basics of the electromotive force and how it can be used to build different devices. Learners will • Be able to use solutions from electric fields and relate them to other subjects (heat transfer, diffusion, membrane modeling) • Understand Maxwell's equations...

10. Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters

coursera

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5703, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This course covers the analysis and design of magnetic components, including inductors and transformers, used in power electronic converters. The course starts with an introduction to physical principles behind inductors and transformers, including the concepts of inductance, core material saturation, airgap and energy storage in inductors, reluctance and...

11. Continuous Code Inspection with SonarQube

udemy
4.3
(368)

How to integrate Sonar Qube with your Maven projects...

12. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 2 (SSRS)

udemy
4.5
(956)

SQL Server Reporting Services Part 2 (SSRS): Deployment, Security, Report Builder, Mobile Report Publisher...

13. Mastering Java Reactive Programming [ From Scratch ]

udemy
4.5
(1,574)

Unlock the Power of Reactive Programming, Asynchronous & Non-Blocking Programming using Reactor...

14. Build Reactive MicroServices using Spring WebFlux/SpringBoot

udemy
4.5
(4,456)

Learn to write Reactive programming and build Reactive Micro Services using Spring Web Flux and project Reactor...

15. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft

udemy
4.5
(403)

Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...

16. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)

udemy
4.6
(731)

Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...

17. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 1 (SSRS)

udemy
4.6
(2,236)

Learn how to create from simple to complex reports for your business decision making needs...

18. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS): 2022 edition

udemy
4.6
(4,019)

Build reports in MS SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS): Implement report layouts, add interactivity...

19. Ultimate Electrical Machines for Electrical Engineering

udemy
4.7
(366)

Learn about different electrical machines such as DC, synchronous, and induction machines without any previous knowledge...

20. Reiki Level I, II, III & Master/Teacher Certification Course

udemy
4.8
(432)

Become a Certified Usui Reiki Master - Heal Yourself and Others, Animals and Plants through Energy Healing. Teach Reiki!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for nuclear reactor inspectors

The most affordable schools for nuclear reactor inspectors are University of Florida, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for nuclear reactor inspectors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for nuclear reactor inspectors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for nuclear reactor inspectors

The hardest universities for nuclear reactor inspectors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for nuclear reactor inspectors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for nuclear reactor inspectors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for nuclear reactor inspectors

The easiest schools for nuclear reactor inspectors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, the university of texas permian basin, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a nuclear reactor inspector without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for nuclear reactor inspectors.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

8. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

Average nuclear reactor inspector salary by education level

According to our data, nuclear reactor inspectors with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $93,236 annually. Nuclear reactor inspectors with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $74,786.
Nuclear reactor inspector education levelNuclear reactor inspector salary
Master's Degree$74,786
Bachelor's Degree$57,732
Doctorate Degree$93,236

Nuclear reactor inspector education FAQs

Search for nuclear reactor inspector jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs