Top 12 Aerospace Engineering Colleges In 2021

Interested in becoming an aerospace engineer or an aeronautical engineer? Well, this is the first time you can actually say to someone that it is, in fact, “rocket science”! While getting a degree in aerospace engineering isn’t exactly a walk in the park, aerospace engineers will be best prepared for their future by taking part in the right academic program. But where is the best place to earn your degree? Let’s take a look at the best aerospace engineering colleges out there.

What Aerospace Engineers Do?

What exactly do aerospace engineers do? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, aerospace engineers work to design and/or build aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. They may work for the military or the federal government, taking part in the entire process of engineering these wondrous machines — from manufacturing, analysis and design, to research and development.

Aerospace Engineering Degrees

In order to become an aerospace engineer, at the very least, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. This can take around four years to complete, and if you so choose, you can pursue higher degrees in the field thereafter. That said, it’s not always required and you’ll get a lot of hands-on experience once you’re working in the industry.

Source: Pixabay

How Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools Are Ranked?

Although there are many schools that offer degrees in or related to aerospace and/or aeronautical engineering, there are very few schools that are recognized and known for these types of programs.

Here are a few points are taken into consideration when evaluating which schools make the list for their aerospace engineering programs.

Overall Quality

Most of the schools on the list have been ranked as the top schools for this program (and top schools in general), in the United States.

Better Salaries

Graduates from these universities tend to make more money once they earn their degree and enter the workforce — and they typically make strong salaries early on in their career compared to graduates from other schools.

The Focus Major and Popularity

In order to make the list for the best aerospace engineering degree program, these schools have a specific focus on their aerospace engineering program and is one of the reasons students would consider that school in the first place.

Even if a school is well-known for its aerospace engineering degree program, it also has to be a popular choice among students.

Is the Program Accredited?

This one speaks for itself. If you want to become an aerospace engineer, you’ll have a much easier time getting there if your school/program is accredited according to the relevant accreditation body.

Best Colleges with Aerospace Engineering Degrees in America

Ready to get your aerospace engineering degree? Then, based on the criteria above, these are some of the best schools for aerospace engineering which you’ll want to consider adding to your list. But, as always, do your research before you apply to make sure you meet the general requirements and qualifications. Students who want to get into these programs will have to have competitive applications.

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• California Institute of Technology

• Georgia Institute of Technology

• University of California – Los Angeles

• Stanford University

• University of Colorado – Boulder

• Virginia Tech

• University of Notre Dame

• University of Southern California

• Purdue University

• University of Texas at Austin
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach

Source: Pixabay

Salary and Job Outlook of an Aerospace Engineer

There’s no question that the schools listed above are some great colleges. But going to school and getting a degree is expensive! New students need to consider how much a degree is going to set them up for a promising future, with job security and a comfortable salary.

The good news is that according to the BLS, the median annual salary for an aerospace engineer as of May 2019 was $116,500. And, if you’re concerned about whether or not you’ll have a job in the future, the BLS estimates that the career is projected to grow 3 percent between 2019 and 2029, which is about average compared to other occupations.

Should I Get My Aerospace Engineering Degree?

Based on all of this information, if you’re still wondering whether or not you should get your aerospace engineering degree, our best advice would be to research each of those schools further to learn more about the program.

With an aerospace engineering degree, you’ll be able to work in several different industries and many different types of important projects, which means that if you’re not loving one area of the field, you can always get into another.

One reason that people might be hesitant about pursuing a degree like this is because of the cost of the degree itself. Though the University of the People doesn’t offer a degree specifically in aerospace engineering, we do offer degree programs in computer science, which can be a healthy stepping stone to see whether or not engineering is for you.

UoPeople is the only online university that’s based in the United States and tuition-free. So, if you’re not sure if you want to be an aerospace engineer quite yet, you can start on this path without having to worry about losing money.