Compare 10 Astronautical Engineering. programs in California. Average earnings: $92,491.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Astronautical Engineering tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $85,561 to $101,270—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Astronautical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $101,270. The average across all programs is $92,491, yet Cal Poly SLO's dominance—along with San Jose State's $99,511 outcome—proves that California State University programs compete directly with private institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. San Jose State graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 2.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes truly accessible.
Highest program earnings: $101,270
Strong outcomes with 80% acceptance
2.7% payment burden | Excellent
6.6% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $101,270 | 113 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #2 | $99,511 | 82 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Excellent | |
| #3 | $97,304 | 43 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #4 | $93,464 | 56 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #5 | $91,245 | 103 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $90,793 | 75 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #7 | $90,216 | 61 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Good | |
| #8 | $88,082 | 79 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Good | |
| #9 | $87,463 | 73 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Excellent | |
| #10 | $85,561 | 76 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
