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Aerospace Engineering at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
63
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,980/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #42 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 $1,123K $1,091K $926K
Earnings Multiple 4.1x 4.0x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 85% 81% 61%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 63 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,030
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$113,915
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $78,980 per year, Aerospace Engineering graduates from University of Southern California earn slightly above the $73,060 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 4.0x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aerospace Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $20,030 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #42 ranking among 57 Aerospace Engineering programs places University of Southern California in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 44% earnings increase from $78,980 to $113,915 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Southern California

With just 10% of applicants admitted, University of Southern California ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($85,509) 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 Maryland-College Park ($78,631)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace Engineering at University of Southern California?
At 63/100, 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 Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Aerospace Engineering at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →