Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Clarkson University

Clarkson's aerospace engineering program delivers solid middle-of-the-pack performance with one standout feature: remarkably manageable debt. At $27,000, graduates carry just slightly above the national median while earning nearly identical first-year salaries ($71,783 versus $72,210 nationally). That 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio means new graduates owe roughly five months' salary—a comfortable position that allows for aggressive loan paydown or earlier savings.

The state context reveals interesting positioning. Among New York's four aerospace programs, Clarkson ranks 60th percentile—trailing RPI by about $1,500 annually but leading Buffalo by over $2,000. Given that Clarkson's 77% admission rate makes it more accessible than RPI, this represents competitive value for students who might not gain entry to the state's most selective engineering programs. The 9% earnings growth to year four suggests steady career progression rather than explosive income gains.

The practical reality: your child would graduate with very reasonable debt and enter a career paying above the typical bachelor's holder from year one. It's not the highest-earning aerospace program in New York, but the combination of accessible admissions, manageable debt, and respectable earnings makes this a sensible choice for students passionate about aerospace who want to avoid the financial stress that can accompany engineering degrees at more expensive institutions.