Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington

UTA's aerospace engineering program delivers strong starting salaries at $78,005—outperforming 85% of aerospace programs nationally—but the earnings picture flattens immediately. While graduates start well above the national median of $72,210, they see virtually no growth over four years, lagging behind UT Austin grads who start at $81,022 and typically continue climbing. Among Texas's three aerospace programs, UTA sits in the middle: strong enough to compete, but not matching the flagship's outcomes.

The debt load of $25,260 is manageable, translating to a healthy 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow comfortable repayment. This is roughly average for aerospace programs nationally and slightly above Texas's state median of $22,542. For families concerned about borrowing, the combination of accessible admission (81% acceptance rate) and solid starting pay makes this a relatively low-risk entry point into aerospace engineering.

The flat earnings trajectory is the real question mark here. Most engineers see meaningful salary growth in their first five years as they gain experience and security clearances. If this stagnation reflects industry-specific factors in the Dallas-Fort Worth region or the types of roles UTA graduates enter, it matters less. But if it signals limited career advancement, the initial strong salary may represent a ceiling rather than a foundation. For price-conscious families who need their child earning quickly, UTA delivers immediate value—just don't bank on dramatic salary growth in those crucial early career years.