Aerospace Engineeringat University of Southern California
Graduates earn $78,980/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Aerospace Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,091K; scenarios range from $926K to $1,123K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern California
Your strong earnings potential in this program reflects USC's elite engineering reputation and its prime location within Southern California, a global epicenter for aerospace innovation. Major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon, alongside pioneering commercial space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, actively recruit from this talent pool. The curriculum's rigor, coupled with a powerful alumni network, creates a robust pipeline into high-impact roles, accelerating career progression. While the field's increasing automation suggests evolving job functions, this also means new opportunities in AI-driven design, simulation, and autonomous systems. To truly capitalize, prioritize internships with leading firms and consider specializing in emerging areas like advanced propulsion, space systems, or intelligent aerospace technologies.
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 Southern California'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 Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Aerospace Engineering at University of Southern California
What does a 63/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace Engineering at University of Southern California?
At 63/100, 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 Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Aerospace Engineering at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.