Aerospace Engineeringat North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Graduates earn $70,820/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Aerospace Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $899K; scenarios range from $782K to $921K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at NC State
NC State's Aerospace Engineering program, a national standout, prepares you for a dynamic field. While initial earnings might reflect the broader regional market and diverse pathways graduates pursue, the program's strong reputation ensures excellent long-term prospects. Raleigh's Research Triangle Park, while not a primary aerospace manufacturing hub, offers opportunities in related defense contracting and R&D firms. Many graduates also find roles with major players like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, or NASA nationwide, leveraging the school's robust industry connections and alumni network. Your curriculum will emphasize practical skills, preparing you for roles in aircraft design, propulsion, avionics, or space systems. Consider focusing on interdisciplinary skills like data science or advanced manufacturing to future-proof your career against evolving industry demands and technological shifts.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Aerospace Engineering
How NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at NC State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Aerospace Engineering at NC State
How does North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Aerospace Engineering program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Aerospace Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Aerospace Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Aerospace Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 41% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does North Carolina State University at Raleigh rank so high for Aerospace Engineering?
The #9 ranking out of 57 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.