Best Aerospace Engineering Schools

Obtaining an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering is an exciting and important first step in many different types of careers.

Aerospace engineering is a popular major in the United States, and there are many schools where you can choose to study. You can get an aerospace engineering degree at top undergraduate aerospace engineering schools nationwide, and choosing the right school can seem impossible.

There are many factors to consider aside from school rankings when choosing an aerospace engineering school, but it is important to be informed about the most prestigious aerospace engineering schools. This article has compiled a list of the nation's best undergraduate aerospace engineering schools.

Create a Bold.org profile and use the scholarship search feature to access hundreds of exclusive scholarships.

10 Best Aerospace Engineering Schools in the US

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Cambridge, MA

Tuition: $19.998

Acceptance rate: 7%

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been ranked as the top college in the United States. Aerospace engineering is one of its most popular majors and among the country's best Aerospace engineering schools.

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

Tuition: $16,892

Acceptance rate: 32%

The University of Texas at Austin is a highly-ranked public university and is the number one public school in Texas. The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics in their Cockrell School of Engineering is one of the best aerospace engineering schools in the nation.

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA

Tuition: $26,591

Acceptance rate: 7%

California Institute of Technology is a highly ranked school. Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering university. Their aerospace engineering department is very highly ranked and is among the best aerospace engineering schools in the country.

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN

Tuition: $12,294

Acceptance rate: 67%

Purdue University is a highly-ranked public university and is the best public university in Indiana. Aerospace engineering majors will experience a top undergraduate aerospace engineering program in the country.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA

Tuition: $217,410

Acceptance rate: 21%

Georgia Institute of Technology is a top-ranked public school with one of the best aerospace engineering programs. Georgia Tech is home to the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, which has consistently been a highly-ranked undergraduate program.

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Tuition: $27,522

Acceptance rate: 11%

Cornell University has an excellent reputation and is a private institution and an Ivy League school. Their Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is one of the top aerospace engineering colleges, emphasizes undergraduate research, and has world-class facilities.

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Tuition: $20,023

Acceptance rate: 5%

Stanford University is one of the top-ranked schools in the country, and is well known for its highly competitive admission system. Engineering is among the college's most popular majors and one of the country's best aerospace engineering schools.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

Tuition: $17,832

Acceptance rate: 26%

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the top public universities in the country. Aerospace students will attend their aerospace engineering program, which is highly-ranked in its own right.

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

Tuition: $19,043

Acceptance rate: 23%

University is one of the most highly ranked public universities in America. UVA students studying aerospace engineering will attend one of the best aerospace engineering schools.

University of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

Tuition: $19,329

Acceptance rate: 17%

UC Berkeley highly-ranked public university with a stellar reputation. Aerospace engineering students will attend a program emphasizing research and is a top-ranked aerospace engineering degree program.

Additional Noteworthy Aerospace Engineering Schools

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Tuition: $36,983

Acceptance rate: 17%

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Tuition: $25,241

Acceptance rate: 11%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Tuition: $28,344

Acceptance rate: 9%

Washington University in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO

Tuition: $27,233

Acceptance rate: 16%

Duke University

Durham, NC

Tuition: $26,932

Acceptance rate: 8%

Aerospace Engineering Scholarships on Bold.org

Bold.org has many engineering scholarships available for aerospace engineering students to apply to. Below are some examples of the hundreds of opportunities at Bold.org.

Jacques Borges Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $4,964

For: Haitian students studying civil engineering

Deadline: June 28, 2023

This scholarship will support one student of Haitian descent who is pursuing a civil engineering degree and who has large ambitions for the future of their community.

Anastasiya Y. Hardie Women in Engineering Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500

For: High school seniors, undergraduate, or graduate students majoring in engineering who are female and immigrants

Deadline: July 17, 2023

This scholarship seeks to support female immigrants pursuing higher education in male-dominated fields.

Iftikhar Kamil Madni Science and Engineering Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

For: Undergraduate or graduate students majoring in engineering or science who have a GPA of 3.75 or higher

Deadline: July 2, 2023

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Iftikhar Kamil Madni by supporting students pursuing higher education in engineering and science.

Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

Amount: $1,800

For: High school or undergraduate students majoring in automotive, media arts, technology, or a related field

Deadline: November 5, 2023

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Anthony McPherson by raising awareness about drunk driving and supporting students pursuing careers in media arts, technology, or the automotive industry.

Chadwick D. McNab Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

For: Undergraduate students majoring in computer science, technology, or a related field

Deadline: October 14, 2023

This scholarship honors the life of Chadwick D McNab by supporting students looking to reach their full potential in a technology career.

Choosing a Great Aerospace Engineering School

With so many engineering programs nationwide, narrowing down your options can be very difficult. Here are some ways to choose which aerospace engineering program you should attend.

Specialization Interests

Prioritize programs that offer opportunities and specializations that align with your personal and professional interests.

Accreditation

Make sure you only consider programs with the proper accreditation. This will be the ABET accreditation for engineering students interested in a properly accredited school.

Curriculum

Check the curriculum of an aerospace engineering program before you apply, as your coursework might vary widely depending on what school you attend.

Reputation

While you may not attend one of the top schools to earn an aerospace engineering degree, many schools still have good reputations. This good reputation can help you find internships and first jobs and apply to graduate programs.

Most Popular Related Majors to Aerospace Engineering

If you aren't sure that aerospace engineering is the right career path for you but you are still interested in engineering, there are other disciplines you can study. Some of the most popular related courses of study include:

Materials Science Engineering

A Materials Science Engineering major will study mathematics and materials science to design and evaluate materials and do related processes in manufacturing.

Metallurgical Engineering

Being a Metallurgic Engineering major will prepare you to design, develop, and evaluate metal used in structural and moving systems. You will also learn to analyze engineering problems and how to resolve them.

Mining and Mineral Engineering

Majoring in mining and mineral engineering will prepare you to apply engineering principles to systems used in mining, such as mineral extraction, processing systems, and mine equipment.

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering students will experience degree programs that focus on applying engineering to all manner of vessels used on or under the water. This includes equipment used inland and on the ocean, focusing on corrosion, stress factors, and environmental hazards.

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering students will study coursework that prepares them for a career working in Nuclear Energy. They will learn about nuclear power plant design, containment vessels, and fission and fusion processes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aerospace Engineering Schools

How long does it take to be an aerospace engineer?

The minimum education level for an aerospace engineer is usually a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. Most students majoring in aerospace engineering complete their degrees in four or five years.

You may need entry-level work experience before becoming a fully-fledged aerospace engineer. You will also need to get your engineering license; requirements for obtaining this license may vary depending on which state you live in.

Many specializations will require a master's or doctoral degree, which will add years to the time you take to become an aerospace engineer.

What are the types of aerospace engineering?

The disciplines within aerospace engineering include but are not limited to:

• Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Structural design, dynamics, and aeroelasticity
• Composite materials
• Aircraft design and propulsion
• Aircraft control
• Spacecraft engineering
• Aeronautical engineering
• Astronautical engineering

Is it worth getting degrees in aerospace engineering?

Yes. Obtaining degrees in aerospace engineering opens doors to careers in many high-paying fields.

Is getting a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering worth it?

Get your doctorate. It's worth it. Having a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering will give you more opportunities to advance your career. You will also experience higher pay.

What are the best aerospace engineering schools?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology are two of the country's best schools to obtain degrees in aerospace engineering.

How much are aerospace engineers paid?

Aerospace engineers make a median salary of $122,270.

Bold.org

Create a Bold.org profile and use the scholarship search feature to access exclusive business school scholarships. The process is easy, and hundreds of scholarships are available to help aid students like yourself. There are scholarships on Bold.org available for many different majors and need-based and merit-based scholarships, among many other categories. You can also read the Bold.org blog for more articles like this one.