Best colleges for Aerospace in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Institute of Technology award the most Aerospace degrees and certificates in Illinois: 237 and 23 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 Illinois colleges offer Aerospace and award 260 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Aerospace program, formally known as Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, focuses on the development of aircraft and spacecraft. This field combines principles of aeronautical and astronautical engineering,…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,859 | 237 | 85% | — | $23,951 |
| 2 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,169 | 23 | 75% | $19,899 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Aerospace degrees in Illinois
Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 237 | $75,859 |
| 2 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 23 | $63,169 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Aerospace Engineers (SOC 17-2011).
Top skills
What Aerospace Engineers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Aerospace programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Aerospace degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (237 graduates a year) and Illinois Institute of Technology (23 graduates a year) award the most Aerospace degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 Illinois colleges offer Aerospace.
Which Aerospace program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $75,859. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Aerospace Engineers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Aerospace Engineers in Illinois is $125,610 (median $108,940), across about 200 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Aerospace program?+
The Aerospace program, formally known as Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, focuses on the development of aircraft and spacecraft. This field combines principles of aeronautical and astronautical engineering,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, science, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Aerospace Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +6.1% growth with around 4,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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