Aerospace at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
75
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,210/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,800 openings/yr)
ROI 23.9x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 57 Aerospace programs Top 25%

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 $946K $924K $800K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.5x 23.9x 20.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.6x 8.4x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 85% 81% 61%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 75 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,242
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,827
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $72,210/yr, Aerospace graduates from West Virginia University land near the $73,060 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Aerospace programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Aerospace's typical career paths, with 41% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $27,242 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #12 of 57 nationally, this is a top-5% Aerospace program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $72,210 to $96,827 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About West Virginia University

With 86% of applicants admitted, West Virginia University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 17,705 in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia 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

Aerospace at Other Schools

Other Majors at West Virginia University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Aerospace at West Virginia University?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Aerospace nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Aerospace careers?
With 41% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $799,940 in decade earnings vs $946,479 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes West Virginia University's Aerospace program stand out?
Ranked #12 of 57 programs nationally, West Virginia University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →