Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Tech's aerospace engineering program lands graduates in the bottom 5th percentile nationally for starting salaries—earning $63,169 versus a $72,210 national median. That's a significant gap in a field where employers typically pay premium wages right out of school. Within Illinois, where only IIT and UIUC offer this major, the program ranks 40th percentile, with UIUC graduates earning nearly $13,000 more initially. The modest $27,000 debt load provides some cushion, but it can't fully offset the earnings disadvantage.

The trajectory offers limited consolation. While earnings do grow to $74,484 by year four—an 18% increase—that's still $3,000 below what peer aerospace programs achieve nationally in year one. For a program at a selective engineering school (1296 average SAT), these outcomes suggest employers aren't valuing IIT's aerospace credentials on par with competitors. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) indicates this isn't an anomaly from one or two outliers.

For families paying private school tuition, this is a tough value proposition. Your child could likely access higher-paying aerospace opportunities at UIUC's in-state rates or at other aerospace programs that place graduates closer to industry standards. Unless IIT offers specific research opportunities or industry connections you can't find elsewhere, the financial case here is weak.