Nuclear engineering graduation rates level off

[bananas]

Source: Today's Energy Solutions

The number of college students graduating with majors in nuclear engineering has flattened and even declined somewhat after five straight years of continual increases, according to a report by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) that surveyed 35 U.S. universities with nuclear engineering programs. The report, titled Nuclear Engineering Enrollments and Degrees Survey, 2014 Data, includes degrees granted between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014.

ORISE declines were seen in the number of students receiving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while the number of doctorate degrees awarded increased. According to the report, 627 students received bachelor’s degrees with majors in nuclear engineering in 2014–a 4% decrease from the previous year but still nearly 3% higher than 2012. The number reported for 2013 was the highest number of bachelor’s degrees reported since 1984, but still 19 percent below the peak years of the late 1970s.

The number of master’s degrees awarded in 2014 with majors in nuclear engineering decreased by 11% over 2013 and by 3 percent from 2012. A total of 322 students received master’s degrees, the third highest number since 1983. The survey data showed that the number of doctorates granted in nuclear engineering in 2014 increased for the third year in row and is the third highest reported since 1966. The total number of doctorates awarded in 2014 was 169.

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Undergraduate enrollment in nuclear engineering programs continued to decline from 2012 peak In 2014, nearly 1,440 students were enrolled as juniors or seniors in nuclear engineering undergraduate programs. This represented a decrease of 28% below what was reported in the prior year and more than one-third lower than reported in 2012. The enrollment numbers are similar to those reported in 2008 and 2009.

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Read more: http://www.onlinetes.com/energy-solutions-nuclear-energy-manufacturing-education-080415.aspx#.VcDY-trn9fY

[erronis]

1. What am I missing from this? We (US) don't build new nuclear plants anymore.

I know there are plenty of other uses of nuclear energy and that other countries are using nuclear energy successfully (with some notable problems).

Why would a student think that nuclear engineering was a promising field? Personally, I do, and I think the problems can be overcome. However, if I needed to make a good income after graduation I don't think that this field would be my focus.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Perhaps medical and (gack!) military uses

And other stuff.

Nuclear engineering is really fascinating and challenging stuff. Disclaimer: I'm not a nuclear engineer, but I work with a few. No, not military ones, so no two minutes hate from The Swarm please!

[bananas]

3. Probably two reasons: DOE funding and the fact that kids pick their major in high school.

Last edited Tue Aug 4, 2015, 08:08 PM - Edit history (2)

Peak graduation year was 2013, those kids were high school seniors in 2008, when the "Nuclear Renaissance" PR campaign was going strong.

The Department of Energy has been throwing money at colleges to prepare students for the Nuclear Renaissance.