Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's aerospace engineering program produces graduates who earn above the national median but lag slightly behind Missouri's top option. With only two schools offering this program in the state, the choice is straightforward: grads from Missouri S&T earn about $2,000 more annually in early career, though Saint Louis maintains solid outcomes with a starting salary of $75,122 and manageable debt of $26,421.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means graduates owe roughly four months' salary—better than many engineering programs and favorable for aerospace specifically. Earnings climb modestly to $78,267 by year four, which is typical for the field where major salary jumps often come with career moves or promotions later on. The 68th national percentile ranking suggests competent program quality, even if it doesn't quite match Missouri S&T's output.

The major caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings, so individual outliers could skew these numbers either way. For families confident in their child's aerospace ambitions and preferring Saint Louis's urban setting or Jesuit education approach, this represents a reasonable path. But if pure salary optimization matters most and Missouri S&T is geographically feasible, that extra $2,000 annually adds up over a career—though the difference isn't dramatic enough to override fit considerations.