Best colleges for Aerospace
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Aerospace by graduate earnings are California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($85,509), Case Western Reserve University ($83,639) and University of Colorado Boulder ($81,835), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $85,509, 113 graduates a year
- Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH): $83,639, 49 graduates a year
- University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO): $81,835, 466 graduates a year
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN): $81,057, 57 graduates a year
- The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX): $81,022, 165 graduates a year
Compare 97 U.S. colleges offering Aerospace by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 34 states.
Aerospace programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,607 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.02 and the Aerospace Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Aerospace programs
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, making it ideal for students interested in cutting-edge technology and innovation in aviation and space exploration. Students will engage in both theoretical and practical applications of engineering concepts.
In this program, students will acquire essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and science, alongside knowledge in engineering technology, design, and physics. Coursework typically includes formulating mathematical models, conducting tests on aerospace systems, and developing technical documentation.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,509 | 113 | 86% | — | $22,500 |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,639 | 49 | 87% | $27,976 | $26,410 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,835 | 466 | 74% | — | $25,039 |
| 4 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,057 | 57 | 95% | $19,452 | $24,000 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,022 | 165 | 89% | — | $22,542 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,225 | 277 | 93% | — | $21,603 |
| 7 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,300 | 593 | 94% | — | $22,750 |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,980 | 248 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,140 |
| 9 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,631 | 195 | 89% | — | $22,500 |
| 10 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,320 | 128 | 68% | — | $26,295 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,005 | 85 | 54% | — | $25,260 |
| 12 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,922 | 68 | 96% | — | $14,214 |
| 13 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,881 | 142 | 85% | — | $12,000 |
| 14 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,856 | 302 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 15 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,183 | 103 | 64% | — | $22,699 |
| 16 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,859 | 237 | 85% | — | $23,951 |
| 17 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,483 | 132 | 68% | $38,461 | $26,995 |
| 18 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,483 | 461 | 67% | $38,899 | $26,995 |
| 19 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,218 | 105 | 90% | $32,926 | $27,000 |
| 20 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,122 | 28 | 80% | $24,886 | $26,421 |
| 21 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,036 | 154 | 75% | — | $26,572 |
| 22 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,992 | 124 | 75% | — | $20,750 |
| 23 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,524 | 294 | 84% | — | $22,208 |
| 24 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,375 | 106 | 76% | — | $23,000 |
| 25 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,887 | 114 | 73% | — | $26,787 |
Specializations within Aerospace
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/CIP 14.0201
Space Engineering 10,097 graduates / yr97 institutions34 states - Astronautical EngineeringCIP 14.0202New in CIP 2020limited data8 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/CIP 14.0299
Space Engineering New in CIP 2020limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 34 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2011, Aerospace Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Aerospace program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 6.1% and approximately 4,500 annual job openings. The median wage for aerospace engineers is $134,830, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Aerospace
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.02 (Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2011 | Aerospace Engineersprimary |
| 17-3021 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 49-2091 | Avionics Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Aerospace programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
- Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
- Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
- Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
- Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
- Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
Common questions
What is aerospace engineering?+
Aerospace engineering involves the development of aircraft and spacecraft, encompassing both aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and technical writing, among others.
What is the job outlook for aerospace engineers?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 6.1% and about 4,500 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for aerospace engineers?+
The median wage for aerospace engineers is $134,830.
How much do Aerospace graduates earn?+
Aerospace graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,607, College Scorecard (2019); the Aerospace Engineers occupation pays about $142,060 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Aerospace?+
Aerospace maps to CIP 14.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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