Aerospace Engineering Degree in Hayward, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Hayward, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$105K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$151K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.5 yrs
in Hayward
Cost of Living
131
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Hayward, CA Overview
While Hayward has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Aerospace Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,898/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Hayward is approximately $104,800.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$6,972/yr
Private Tuition
$44,745/yr
Room & Board
$14,898/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,102/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Hayward (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hayward's cost of living index of 131 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Hayward adjustment factor: 1.31x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Hayward
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Hayward tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,972 | Private avg: $44,745
Hayward avg aid: $13,102/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,480
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$58,950
vs HS diploma in Hayward
ROI Payback Period
1.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hayward
$1,196,320
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,283,800) minus total education cost ($87,480)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Hayward
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hayward for Aerospace Engineering
California State University, East Bay
public
$6,972/yr
$27,888 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chabot College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Hayward
Hayward offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hayward 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 Hayward
Petroleum Engineering
$66K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$66K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$66K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$105K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$102K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$66K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$102K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Hayward — 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 Hayward.