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Aerospace Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $85,509/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)
ROI 23.8x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 57 Aerospace programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Aerospace Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,084K $1,055K $899K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.5x 23.8x 20.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.7x 8.5x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 85% 81% 61%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (8.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$112,671
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $85,509/yr, edging above the $73,060 national average for Aerospace Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 23.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aerospace Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $22,500 in median debt against $85,509 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #1 among 57 Aerospace Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 32% earnings increase from $85,509 to $112,671 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 30% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 21,521 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 57 schools offering Aerospace Engineering →

Aerospace Engineering at Other Schools

Case Western Reserve University ($83,639) University of Colorado Boulder ($81,835) University of Notre Dame ($81,057) The University of Texas at Austin ($81,022) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($80,225) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($79,300) University of Southern California ($78,980) University of Maryland-College Park ($78,631)

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($90,576) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($81,186)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Aerospace Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
The 41% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo one of the best schools for Aerospace Engineering?
Among 57 Aerospace Engineering programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →