Key takeaways
- Aerospace Engineering is the study of aircraft, rotorcraft, and spacecraft design, development, and theory.
- It’s a very challenging major, requiring advanced math and problem-solving skills with heavy time commitment.
- Some top Aerospace Engineering Schools include the United States Air Force Academy, Georgia Tech, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Flickr user NOAA Satellites
Aerospace Engineering is a challenging and competitive field of study with various concentrations, depending on a student’s interests and career goals. Below, we talk about what you can expect in this major and highlight top Aerospace Engineering schools that might fit what you’re looking for in a college.
What is Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace Engineering is the study of aircraft and spacecraft development, design, theory, and production. Students can choose from aeronautical engineering, which focuses on aircraft within the earth’s atmosphere, or astronautical engineering, which focuses on spacecraft and launch vehicles.
These programs prepare students to work directly with planes, shuttles, satellites, missiles, and similar systems. Classes can include:
- Calculus
- Graphic design
- Aircraft Propulsion
- Mechanical Engineering
Problem-solving and critical thinking are must-have skills. Students should expect academic rigor, complex subjects, and heavy commitments, especially as the subject builds on foundational knowledge.
Aerospace Engineering programs are highly competitive and often require a separate application with a high SAT/ACT score, top GPA, and demonstrated interest in the field.
What can you do with an Aerospace Engineering degree?
Potential careers for students with an Aerospace Engineering degree include:
- Aerodynamics Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Propulsion Engineer
- System Engineer
- Structural Engineers.
Employers tend to be in aircraft manufacturing, defense contracting, and research industries.
The median salary for Aerospace Engineers is $134,000, and the position is expected to see a 6.1% growth between 2024 and 2034. While over 50% of Aerospace Engineers have bachelor’s degrees, 33% have their master’s.
Aerospace Engineering schools
More than 70 schools have Aerospace Engineering or similar majors within the United States. Here are just 10 that offer top-notch programs:
1. UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
- Location: Air Force Academy, CO
- College type: Public
Aeronautics and Astronautics are two very popular majors at the United States Air Force Academy. Aeronautical Engineering students can choose to study aircraft design or aircraft engine design. Some courses include Aeroelasticity, Aircraft Dynamic Stability and Control, and Flight Test Techniques.
USAFA’s Astronautical Engineering program started the same year NASA was formed (1958), and undergraduates operate the ground station to control satellites. Two class examples are Astrodynamics and Small Spacecraft Engineering.
2. EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY-DAYTONA BEACH
- Location: Daytona Beach, FL
- College type: Private
Many undergraduates at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, are studying majors that fall under Aerospace and Aeronautics. Students studying Aerospace Engineering can choose from four track options, or concentrations: Aeronautics, Astronautics, Jet Propulsion, and Rocket Propulsion.
Other undergraduate majors include Aeronautical Science, Aerospace Physiology, Air Traffic Management, and Space Management.
3. RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
- Location: Troy, NY
- College type: Private
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees s in Aeronautical Engineering and a bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering. Classes for Aerospace students include Engineering Dynamics, Aerospace Structures and Materials, Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, and Aerodynamics. RPI has a 63.4% acceptance rate.
4. GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-MAIN CAMPUS
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- College type: Public
Georgia Institute of Technology, or simply Georgia Tech, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctorates, and 5-year bachelor’s/master’s in Aerospace Engineering through the Daniel Guggenheim School.
For the undergraduate program, the first year focuses on foundational material in math, physics, and chemistry, with general engineering and aerospace principles during the second year. Upperclassmen can choose classes in Aircraft, Space System, or Rotorcraft designs.
5. EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY-PRESCOTT
- Location: Prescott, AZ
- College type: Private
Embry‑Riddle Prescott’s Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE) program focuses on aircraft design, spacecraft, space exploration, and propulsion. Students can choose to focus on Aeronautics or Astronautics.
As with the Daytona Beach campus, similar majors are available, including Aeronautics, Mechanical Engineering, and Space Physics.
6. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
- Location: Huntsville, AL
- College type: Public
The Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville teaches the design and development of aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, missiles, and rotorcraft. Those close to graduating will take a spacecraft design course and a capstone design sequence where they choose a project within their targeted interest.
Examples of some courses at UAH include Introduction to Computational Tools, Engineering Economy, Rocket Propulsion, and Hydrology.
7. PURDUE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- College type: Public
Purdue University is home to the largest academic propulsion lab in the world. Those pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering can choose from a variety of specializations during their senior year, such as Aerodynamics, Aerospace Systems Design, and Propulsion.
There are also master’s and doctoral degrees available through the Gambaro Graduate Program in Aeronautics and Astronautics, as well as a 5-year bachelor’s/master’s track.
8. VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
- College type: Public
Often called Virginia Tech, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers an Aerospace Engineering major as well as a double Aerospace and Ocean Engineering major, since the programs share many courses.
There are nine Technical Tracks available to Aerospace Engineering students, such as Aero/Hydrodynamics, Propulsion, Energy and the Environment, and Space Engineering.
9. FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Location: Melbourne, FL
- College type: Private
Aerospace Engineering is the most popular area of study for undergraduates at the Florida Institute of Technology. Located appropriately on the Space Coast, just south of Cape Canaveral, students finish their degree with a capstone project in Aerodynamics, Controls, Microgravity, or similar.
Some class options include Aerospace Fundamentals, Mechanics of Materials, and Control Systems.
10. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- College type: Private
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has an Aerospace Engineering program through MIT AeroAstro, where students study aerodynamics, design, analysis, propulsion, feedback, flight control, and aerospace communications. They can also choose to take 36 units in Aerospace Information Technology as part of their degree.
MIT also offers master’s and doctoral programs through the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Do you dream of studying Aerospace Engineering or similar? With more than 70 schools offering the major, it can be difficult to choose the best one for you. College Raptor’s College Match can help you narrow down the options based on your goals. Get started today – it’s free!
