Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Capitol Technology University

With only three aerospace engineering programs in Maryland, Capitol Technology faces stiff competition from the University of Maryland-College Park, where graduates earn roughly $6,400 more in their first year. Based on national benchmarks for similar aerospace programs, Capitol's graduates can expect to earn around $72,000 initially while carrying approximately $27,000 in debt—a manageable 0.37 ratio that suggests borrowers would need about 4.5 months of gross earnings to cover their loans.

The real question is whether Capitol's smaller program justifies similar debt levels when UMD—a much larger research university—delivers stronger earnings at a lower cost ($22,500 median debt statewide). Capitol's 78% admission rate and focus on technical fields may offer advantages like smaller class sizes or specialized labs, but peer programs nationally show considerable variation in outcomes. For context, the top aerospace programs push first-year earnings above $76,000, while Capitol's estimated figure sits right at the national median.

If your child has already been admitted to Capitol and not UMD, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture isn't alarming—aerospace engineering generally pays well enough to handle moderate borrowing. But if both schools are options, the earnings gap and debt difference favor the flagship program. Capitol could still make sense for students who thrive in smaller environments or need the flexibility of Capitol's format, but expect to work harder to match the earning power of UMD's aerospace network.