Home › Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University › Aerospace

Aerospace at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,856/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)
ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 of 57 Aerospace programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Aerospace graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $973K $948K $819K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.3x 13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.5x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 85% 81% 61%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,833
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,423
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $76,856 per year, Aerospace graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn slightly above the $73,060 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 15.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aerospace career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $25,833 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #27 ranking among 57 Aerospace programs places Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 31% earnings increase from $76,856 to $100,423 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 30,435 students enrolled in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 57 schools offering Aerospace →

Aerospace at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($85,509) Case Western Reserve University ($83,639) University of Colorado Boulder ($81,835) University of Notre Dame ($81,057) The University of Texas at Austin ($81,022) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($80,225) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($79,300) University of Southern California ($78,980)

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Aerospace at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Aerospace at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →