Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Southern New Hampshire University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests reasonable financial footing for an aerospace engineering degree, though parents should understand these figures come from peer programs nationally rather than Southern New Hampshire University's specific track record. Based on comparable aerospace programs across the country, graduates typically start around $72,000—solid for engineering but not exceptional—with median debt near $27,000. The question is whether SNHU's approach to aerospace engineering, delivered at a school with a 96% admission rate and strong online presence, translates to the same employment outcomes as traditional aerospace programs.

The field itself is stable but geographically concentrated around defense contractors and aerospace hubs. If your student isn't mobile or willing to relocate to places like Seattle, Southern California, or the D.C. area, those estimated earnings might not materialize. The high Pell grant percentage (47%) suggests SNHU serves students who need affordability, but without school-specific outcomes data, you're essentially betting that their aerospace program performs as well as established engineering schools. That's a leap that warrants serious due diligence—talking to alumni, understanding employer partnerships, and confirming how many graduates actually land aerospace roles versus adjacent fields.