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Aerospace Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $71,068/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (41% exposed)

Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)

ROI 16.9x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #31 of 57 Aerospace programs

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	$953K	$930K	$805K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.3x	16.9x	14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.4x	5.2x	4.5x
Probability of Field Employment	85%	81%	61%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$54,988

Out-of-state: $178,096 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,052

-2% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$97,069

37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,068 track close to the $73,060 national median for Aerospace Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 16.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aerospace Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,000 in median debt against $71,068 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #31 ranking among 57 Aerospace Engineering programs places University of California-Los Angeles in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 37% earnings increase from $71,068 to $97,069 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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 University of California-Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles?

At 72/100, the score looks reasonable — but Aerospace Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Aerospace Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles?

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 →