Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at University of Central Florida

UCF's aerospace engineering program falls below expectations for a field that typically commands strong starting salaries. At $67,953, graduates earn about $4,700 less than the national median and trail Florida's top aerospace program (Embry-Riddle at $75,483) by $7,500. Landing at the 12th percentile nationally is particularly striking for a program from a large, established engineering school—three-quarters of aerospace programs nationwide produce higher-earning graduates.

The financial fundamentals are solid: with $27,875 in debt and a 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates can manage their loans comfortably. The debt burden sits near the national median, and earnings do grow to $74,173 by year four, a respectable 9% increase that suggests steady career progression. For Florida residents paying in-state tuition, the economics work reasonably well—you're getting an accredited aerospace degree without financial strain.

The question is whether you're getting your money's worth competitively. If your child has admission offers from both UCF and Embry-Riddle, the $7,500 annual earnings gap might justify any tuition difference, especially at a specialized aerospace powerhouse. But if UCF offers substantially lower costs or your student is already committed to Orlando's growing aerospace corridor, the program provides an affordable path into the industry. Just recognize you're trading some earning potential for geographic convenience and cost savings.