Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at University of California-San Diego

UCSD's aerospace engineering graduates start with surprisingly modest first-year earnings of $65,401—below not just the national median ($72,210) but also behind San Diego State and nearly every other California aerospace program. While this ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, it hits the 40th percentile among California programs, suggesting the entire state may see softer early-career outcomes than aerospace hubs elsewhere. The debt load of $21,305 is reasonable, matching California's median and yielding a manageable 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The program's saving grace is strong earnings growth: graduates jump to $90,793 by year four, a 39% increase that eventually surpasses most competitors. This trajectory suggests UCSD students may take longer to land in core aerospace roles—possibly starting in adjacent industries or junior positions—but catch up within a few years. For a selective UC campus (25% admission rate), these outcomes might disappoint parents expecting immediate payoff comparable to Cal Poly SLO's $85,509 starting figure.

The real question is whether you're comfortable with a slower launch. If your child needs to start paying down larger loans immediately, programs with stronger first-year earnings might be safer bets. But if they can afford patience and want the broader UC research experience, UCSD's aerospace program becomes financially viable by mid-career.