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

UT Austin's aerospace engineering program launches graduates into $81,000 starting salaries—well above the national median of $72,000 and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. But here's what matters for Texas families: among the state's three aerospace programs, this sits in the middle. UT Arlington graduates actually earn slightly less at the start ($78,000), while Texas A&M trails at $74,500. The difference isn't dramatic enough to justify choosing Austin solely on earnings if your child can access the other programs at lower cost.

The financial fundamentals are solid. With typical debt of $22,500, graduates owe just 28% of their first year's salary—comfortably manageable by engineering standards. Earnings grow to $86,300 by year four, a respectable but not spectacular 7% increase that suggests these graduates lock into good positions quickly rather than experiencing dramatic career acceleration.

For an anxious parent, this program is a safe bet: selective admission (29% acceptance rate) pairs with strong outcomes and reasonable debt. The Longhorn network and Austin's aerospace industry connections deliver clear value. Just don't assume the UT brand commands a significant earnings premium over Texas A&M or UT Arlington in this specific field—Texas aerospace employers appear to value the degree itself more than which campus granted it.