Aerospace Engineering Degree in Berkeley, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Berkeley, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$117K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Berkeley
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Berkeley, CA Overview
Berkeley, California (pop. 124,321) has 7 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 102 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $961/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Berkeley is approximately $81,600.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,312/yr
Private Tuition
$41,049/yr
Room & Board
$17,106/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,462/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
66%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Berkeley (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Berkeley's cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Berkeley adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Berkeley
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Berkeley tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,312 | Private avg: $41,049
Berkeley avg aid: $11,462/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$45,900
vs HS diploma in Berkeley
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Berkeley
$873,928
Lifetime earnings premium ($999,600) minus total education cost ($125,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Berkeley
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Berkeley for Aerospace Engineering
UC Berkeley
public
$14,312/yr
$57,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Berkeley City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Berkeley
Berkeley offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Berkeley Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$113K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$112K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$103K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$91K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$94K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$90K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$93K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$106K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Berkeley
Petroleum Engineering
$51K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$51K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$80K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Berkeley — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aerospace Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Berkeley.