Aerospace Engineeringat University of Arizona
Graduates earn $57,456/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Aerospace Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,077K; scenarios range from $915K to $1,108K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Arizona
While the foundational engineering education at the University of Arizona provides a solid base, graduates from this aerospace program often face a more challenging path to top-tier roles compared to national peers. Tucson's aerospace sector, while present with major defense contractors like Raytheon, tends to offer a specific set of opportunities, sometimes leaning more towards systems integration or testing rather than pure R&D for cutting-edge projects. This regional dynamic, coupled with a broad enrollment profile, can mean fierce competition for the most lucrative positions. You might find yourself needing to look beyond Arizona for your ideal first role, especially if you're targeting high-growth areas in space exploration or advanced aircraft design. To stand out, proactively secure internships with leading national firms and cultivate a strong network early in your academic career, as your proactivity will be key in navigating this landscape.
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 University of Arizona'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 University of Arizona stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Arizona
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Arizona, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Aerospace Engineering at University of Arizona
How does University of Arizona's Aerospace Engineering program score?
A score of 70/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Arizona trails the majority of Aerospace Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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 are Aerospace Engineering earnings lower at University of Arizona?
Lower starting pay at University of Arizona may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.