Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Rutgers-New Brunswick's aerospace engineering program sits in an unusual position: it's the median performer among New Jersey's two schools offering this major, yet falls to just the 23rd percentile nationally. That gap matters because aerospace graduates typically expect strong early-career returns, and $69,320 represents roughly $3,000 below the national median for this field—a margin that compounds over time in an industry where starting salary often determines trajectory.

The debt picture provides some reassurance. At $26,674, graduates carry manageable loans with a 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning total debt equals less than five months of their first-year salary. This is notably better than the national median debt for aerospace programs and places Rutgers in the 18th percentile for debt burden. For a state flagship with a 65% admission rate, this accessibility-to-outcomes balance has merit.

The challenge is purely about earnings competitiveness. While aerospace jobs from any accredited program can lead to solid careers at defense contractors or aerospace firms, Rutgers graduates start nearly $7,000 behind those from 75th-percentile programs. For parents, this means their child enters the job market with a slight disadvantage in a field where initial placement often determines long-term earnings potential. If your student has options at higher-ranked aerospace programs with similar debt loads, those warrant serious consideration. If not, Rutgers offers reasonable debt with credentials that open industry doors—just not at premium starting salaries.