Aerospace Engineeringat University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Graduates earn $76,881/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Aerospace Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $970K; scenarios range from $835K to $996K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Washington
The University of Washington's Aerospace Engineering program thrives within one of the world's most dynamic aerospace ecosystems. Your strong outcomes here are deeply tied to the Puget Sound region's unparalleled concentration of industry leaders like Boeing, Blue Origin, and a dense network of defense contractors and innovative startups. This robust local labor market consistently drives demand for skilled engineers, fostering direct recruiting pipelines and competitive compensation.
The program's reputation and research strength likely mean you're working on cutting-edge projects, often with direct industry relevance. You'll find yourself well-prepared for roles spanning aircraft design, spacecraft development, advanced propulsion, and systems integration. To maximize your prospects, prioritize securing internships with local firms early in your academic journey; these experiences are crucial for building your professional network and translating theoretical knowledge into practical, in-demand skills.
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 Washington'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 Washington stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Washington
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Washington, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Aerospace Engineering at University of Washington
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Aerospace Engineering at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Aerospace Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Aerospace Engineering careers?
With 41% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $835,230 in decade earnings vs $995,772 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Aerospace Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 57 programs nationally, University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.