Engineering ยท bachelor's degree
Aerospace engineering major: colleges and pay
73 colleges in our data award bachelor's degrees in aerospace engineering, 6,433 of them in 2023-24. Graduates of the typical program earned $78,794 a year after graduating and $96,728 four years after.
Colleges offering it73
Graduates in 2023-246,433
Typical median debt$21,377
Typical earnings 1 yr after$78,794
Typical earnings 4 yrs after$96,728
Earnings to debt3.7x
Official field name: Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering.
Colleges where aerospace engineering graduates earn the most
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings four years after graduation.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA | 61 | $88,334 | $125,514 | $19,125 |
| University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO | 206 | $80,376 | $116,350 | $22,750 |
| University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | 61 | $88,702 | $115,706 | $14,095 |
| University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI | 128 | $85,422 | $115,075 | $21,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA | 57 | $94,732 | $114,620 | n/a |
| University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | 64 | $88,006 | $111,349 | $15,925 |
| Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL | 21 | $82,501 | $110,956 | $24,687 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | 95 | $88,269 | $107,498 | $19,333 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 202 | $81,370 | $106,633 | $22,000 |
| California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | 119 | $87,482 | $106,171 | $18,000 |
| Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH | 35 | $74,738 | $106,134 | $19,800 |
| Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA | 74 | $79,933 | $105,171 | $27,000 |
| The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX | 107 | $81,538 | $104,422 | $20,500 |
| University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN | 35 | $81,169 | $103,022 | $16,750 |
| Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL | 94 | $76,711 | $102,756 | $21,500 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA | 248 | n/a | $102,415 | $21,250 |
| California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | 122 | $81,796 | $101,797 | $14,300 |
| University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA | 73 | $65,391 | $100,537 | $10,947 |
| University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA | 88 | $76,064 | $100,173 | $15,000 |
| San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA | 105 | $72,773 | $100,139 | $18,000 |
| The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX | 50 | $76,468 | $99,239 | $21,377 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA | 150 | $79,268 | $99,159 | $27,000 |
| University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD | 130 | $78,870 | $98,044 | $19,500 |
| Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN | 323 | $81,997 | $97,332 | $20,500 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL | 141 | $87,086 | $97,276 | $19,500 |
Largest aerospace engineering programs
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FL | 327 | $78,794 | $95,552 | $24,454 |
| Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN | 323 | $81,997 | $97,332 | $20,500 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA | 248 | n/a | $102,415 | $21,250 |
| University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | 226 | $78,400 | $96,972 | $19,032 |
| Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX | 207 | $79,517 | $97,227 | $20,005 |
| University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO | 206 | $80,376 | $116,350 | $22,750 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 202 | $81,370 | $106,633 | $22,000 |
| United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, CO | 174 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA | 173 | $79,517 | $94,089 | $25,250 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA | 150 | $79,268 | $99,159 | $27,000 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottPrescott, AZ | 149 | $78,794 | $95,552 | $24,454 |
| University of FloridaGainesville, FL | 143 | $79,940 | $94,375 | $14,000 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL | 141 | $87,086 | $97,276 | $19,500 |
| University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD | 130 | $78,870 | $98,044 | $19,500 |
| University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI | 128 | $85,422 | $115,075 | $21,000 |
Graduate degrees in aerospace engineering
Master's: 69 programs, $103,120 first-year earnings; Doctoral: 46 programs, $120,263 first-year earnings. Compare graduate programs.
Every college with a aerospace engineering major
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA | 61 | $88,334 | $125,514 | $19,125 |
| University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO | 206 | $80,376 | $116,350 | $22,750 |
| University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | 61 | $88,702 | $115,706 | $14,095 |
| University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI | 128 | $85,422 | $115,075 | $21,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA | 57 | $94,732 | $114,620 | n/a |
| University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | 64 | $88,006 | $111,349 | $15,925 |
| Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL | 21 | $82,501 | $110,956 | $24,687 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | 95 | $88,269 | $107,498 | $19,333 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 202 | $81,370 | $106,633 | $22,000 |
| California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | 119 | $87,482 | $106,171 | $18,000 |
| Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH | 35 | $74,738 | $106,134 | $19,800 |
| Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA | 74 | $79,933 | $105,171 | $27,000 |
| The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX | 107 | $81,538 | $104,422 | $20,500 |
| University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN | 35 | $81,169 | $103,022 | $16,750 |
| Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL | 94 | $76,711 | $102,756 | $21,500 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA | 248 | n/a | $102,415 | $21,250 |
| California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | 122 | $81,796 | $101,797 | $14,300 |
| University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA | 73 | $65,391 | $100,537 | $10,947 |
| University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA | 88 | $76,064 | $100,173 | $15,000 |
| San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA | 105 | $72,773 | $100,139 | $18,000 |
| The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX | 50 | $76,468 | $99,239 | $21,377 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA | 150 | $79,268 | $99,159 | $27,000 |
| University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD | 130 | $78,870 | $98,044 | $19,500 |
| Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN | 323 | $81,997 | $97,332 | $20,500 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL | 141 | $87,086 | $97,276 | $19,500 |
| Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX | 207 | $79,517 | $97,227 | $20,005 |
| Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne, FL | 79 | $74,096 | $97,015 | $27,000 |
| University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | 226 | $78,400 | $96,972 | $19,032 |
| Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ | 109 | $76,108 | $96,946 | $22,479 |
| New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM | 62 | $67,553 | $96,510 | $12,500 |
| Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO | 74 | $73,085 | $96,090 | $22,125 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FL | 327 | $78,794 | $95,552 | $24,454 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottPrescott, AZ | 149 | $78,794 | $95,552 | $24,454 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideDaytona Beach, FL | 52 | $78,794 | $95,552 | $24,454 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY | 92 | $82,409 | $94,750 | $25,250 |
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV | 98 | $73,727 | $94,750 | $25,624 |
| Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ | 65 | $79,605 | $94,598 | $19,500 |
| University of FloridaGainesville, FL | 143 | $79,940 | $94,375 | $14,000 |
| Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI | 58 | $73,384 | $94,177 | $27,000 |
| Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA | 173 | $79,517 | $94,089 | $25,250 |
| University of California-DavisDavis, CA | 67 | $75,453 | $93,414 | $13,113 |
| Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH | 95 | $77,993 | $92,999 | $22,500 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | 72 | $80,773 | $92,422 | $23,126 |
| University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY | 88 | $73,586 | $92,360 | $20,760 |
| University of KansasLawrence, KS | 69 | $75,920 | $92,335 | $21,805 |
| The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL | 92 | $79,759 | $91,999 | $21,750 |
| Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK | 83 | $79,681 | $91,249 | $19,500 |
| Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY | 30 | $78,839 | $91,066 | $26,197 |
| Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY | 39 | $70,395 | $90,470 | $27,000 |
| North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC | 101 | $74,308 | $89,932 | $22,000 |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK | 44 | $73,787 | $89,714 | $19,802 |
| The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN | 70 | $67,524 | $89,015 | $13,000 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH | 64 | $82,289 | $88,511 | $24,512 |
| Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS | 64 | $72,167 | $88,444 | $21,500 |
| University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL | 116 | $77,505 | $87,339 | $21,500 |
| University of ArizonaTucson, AZ | 56 | $72,355 | $86,529 | $23,500 |
| University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA | 50 | $76,064 | $85,681 | $14,000 |
| Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS | 58 | $74,577 | $83,057 | $27,000 |
| Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO | 26 | $82,384 | n/a | $26,000 |
| University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH | 23 | $75,234 | n/a | $19,073 |
| Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY | 19 | $68,951 | n/a | $22,426 |
| Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL | 8 | $56,907 | n/a | n/a |
| Capitol Technology UniversityLaurel, MD | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Kent State University at KentKent, OH | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA | 55 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Stanford UniversityStanford, CA | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, CO | 174 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD | 73 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC | 30 | n/a | n/a | $19,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do aerospace engineering majors make?
Graduates of the typical aerospace engineering program earned a median of $78,794 one year after graduation and $96,728 four years after, in 2024 dollars.
Which college has the highest-paid aerospace engineering graduates?
University of Southern California, where graduates earned a median of $125,514 four years after graduation (programs with at least 10 graduates).
How many colleges offer a aerospace engineering major?
73 colleges on the College Scorecard awarded bachelor's degrees in aerospace engineering in 2022-23 or 2023-24.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.