Aerospace Engineeringat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $71,068/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Aerospace Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $930K; scenarios range from $805K to $953K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
Your UCLA Aerospace Engineering degree positions you squarely within Southern California's dense aerospace ecosystem, meaning unparalleled access to top-tier employers like SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, JPL, and Boeing right outside your door. While the initial earnings may appear slightly below the broader national average for the field, this often reflects the highly competitive talent pool in this region and the varied paths graduates pursue. Many leverage UCLA's research prowess, opting for roles in R&D or government labs, which offer incredible long-term growth and impact but might not always lead with the highest immediate compensation compared to some private sector roles. The prestige of a UCLA engineering degree opens significant doors for advanced specialization. To maximize your return, proactively seek out internships and co-op opportunities with diverse employers to identify niches, especially those less susceptible to automation, that align with your long-term career aspirations.
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 UCLA'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 UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UCLA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Aerospace Engineering at UCLA
What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles?
At 72/100, 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 California-Los Angeles?
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.