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Aerospace at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
61
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,218/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #47 of 57 Aerospace programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $954K $930K $805K
Earnings Multiple 4.0x 3.9x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 85% 81% 61%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 61 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$173,092
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$98,303
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Aerospace program produces graduates earning $75,218/yr — within striking distance of the $73,060 national average for this field.

At 3.9x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

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

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $75,218 in annual earnings.

A #47 ranking among 57 Aerospace programs places Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 31% earnings increase from $75,218 to $98,303 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving 5,344 students in Worcester, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute →

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 →

Aerospace 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 Southern California ($78,980)

Other Majors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Computer Science ($93,888) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,897) Computer Software and Media Applications ($86,193) Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering ($85,340) Chemical Engineering ($78,767) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($78,283) Mechanical Engineering ($78,182) Industrial Engineering ($77,994)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Aerospace 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 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
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 →