Compare 15 Astronautical Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $91,275.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Astronautical Engineering tells a different story. Across 15 programs, earnings range from $82,720 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. But the story isn't about Cal Poly's prestige—it's about program excellence. San Jose State follows at $99,511, proving that regional publics compete directly with selective institutions in this specialized field.
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 $99K post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
Highest program earnings: $101,270
Strong outcomes with 80% acceptance
2.7% payment burden | Excellent
5.8% 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 | $95,111 | 74 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #5 | $93,464 | 56 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #6 | $92,144 | 220 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $91,245 | 103 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Excellent | |
| #8 | $90,793 | 75 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #9 | $90,598 | 38 | $17,095 | Excellent | $10,166 | Excellent | |
| #10 | $90,216 | 61 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Good | |
| #11 | $88,082 | 79 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Good | |
| #12 | $87,463 | 73 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Excellent | |
| #13 | $85,561 | 76 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #14 | $83,636 | 88 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #15 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $82,720 | 36 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Manageable |
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 →
