Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at University of Maryland-College Park

Maryland's aerospace engineering program delivers strong earnings that outperform national benchmarks by nearly $6,500 in the first year, landing in the 89th percentile nationally. Graduates start at $78,631 and see healthy growth to $95,516 by year four—a 22% increase that suggests the degree opens doors to progressively better opportunities in the industry. With just three aerospace programs in Maryland, the limited state comparison is less meaningful, but the national standing tells the real story: this program competes effectively with aerospace powerhouses across the country.

The financial fundamentals are solid. At $22,500, debt sits below both national and state medians for aerospace programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29—manageable by any standard. Graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a year or two while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle, which is exactly what parents want to see from an engineering investment.

The moderate sample size suggests a selective program that produces consistently strong outcomes rather than massive graduating classes with wildly variable results. For students with the academic credentials to gain admission (the school's 1463 average SAT reflects a competitive pool), this represents a straightforward value proposition: solid debt, strong starting salaries, and upward trajectory. It's aerospace engineering performing as it should—opening doors to well-paying technical careers without burying graduates in debt.