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Aerospace Engineering at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $68,002/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (41% exposed)

Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)

ROI 28.3x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #21 of 57 Aerospace programs Top 50%

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	$946K	$923K	$799K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	29.0x	28.3x	24.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.4x	9.1x	7.9x
Probability of Field Employment	85%	81%	61%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	74	73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,588

Out-of-state: $101,084 (9.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,988

17% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,262

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$95,469

40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,002/yr, roughly in line with the $73,060 national median for Aerospace Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 28.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aerospace Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $68,002 far exceeding the $24,262 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #21 ranking among 57 Aerospace Engineering programs places New Mexico State University-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 40% earnings increase from $68,002 to $95,469 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About New Mexico State University-Main Campus

New Mexico State University-Main Campus accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,561 students in Las Cruces, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico State University-Main Campus →

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

Aerospace Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace Engineering at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

At 74/100, 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 New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →