Program Analysis
Graduates earn $69,716/yr, roughly in line with the $73,060 national median for Aerospace. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 18.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aerospace career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $69,716 far exceeding the $23,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #35 ranking among 57 Aerospace programs places University at Buffalo in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $69,716 to $83,498 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.