Aerospace Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $81,835/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 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 $992K $967K $832K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.1x 14.7x 12.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.8x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 85% 81% 61%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,720
Out-of-state: $167,772 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,920
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,431
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $81,835 per year, Aerospace Engineering graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn slightly above the $73,060 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Aerospace Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Aerospace Engineering's typical career paths, with 41% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $24,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #23 of 57 Aerospace Engineering programs, University of Colorado Boulder scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $81,835 to $103,431 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Colorado Boulder

With 83% of applicants admitted, University of Colorado Boulder prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 31,578 students in Boulder, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Boulder →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Aerospace Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Aerospace Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Aerospace Engineering careers?
With 41% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $832,354 in decade earnings vs $991,754 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →