Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Morehead State University
Bachelor's Degree
moreheadstate.eduAnalysis
The aerospace engineering field typically delivers strong returns, and national benchmarks suggest Morehead State's program could follow that pattern. Based on comparable aerospace programs nationwide, graduates might expect first-year earnings around $72,000—right at the national median for this specialized field. Combined with estimated debt of roughly $24,000, that produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about four months' salary. That's a favorable setup for a technical degree.
The caveat here is significant: Morehead State is the only school in Kentucky offering this bachelor's degree, and the program's small graduate cohorts mean we're working entirely from national comparisons rather than actual outcomes data. While aerospace engineering generally produces solid employment prospects—the field requires specific technical credentials that most employers value—there's no track record to confirm how Morehead's particular program performs. The 82% admission rate suggests this isn't competing directly with top-tier aerospace programs at places like Georgia Tech or Purdue, which could affect both curriculum rigor and employer recruitment.
For families willing to bet on national industry trends translating locally, the estimated debt burden appears manageable. But recognize you're making that bet without seeing verified graduate outcomes from this specific program—a meaningful information gap when considering a specialized technical field where program quality and industry connections matter considerably.
Where Morehead State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,838 | $72,210* | — | $23,656* | — | |
| $11,075 | $85,509* | $101,270 | $22,500* | 0.26 | |
| $64,671 | $83,639* | $79,428 | $26,410* | 0.32 | |
| $16,430 | $81,835* | $92,144 | $25,039* | 0.31 | |
| $62,693 | $81,057* | $80,329 | $24,000* | 0.30 | |
| $11,678 | $81,022* | $86,315 | $22,542* | 0.28 | |
| National Median | — | $72,210* | — | $25,000* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Aerospace Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Avionics Technicians
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Morehead State University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 57 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.