Best institutions to study Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems; applied research on flight and orbital characteristics; and the development of systems and procedures for the launching, guidance, and control of air and space vehicles.
97 U.S. institutions graduated 10,097 Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0201, a specialization of Aerospace (CIP 14.02), and leads most directly to the Aerospace Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2011).
About Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems; applied research on flight and orbital characteristics; and the development of systems and procedures for the launching, guidance, and control of air and space vehicles.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Aerospace program, formally known as Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles in the design and development of aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about aviation and space exploration, providing a strong foundation in engineering principles.
Learn more about Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering →
Students in the Aerospace program will gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and physics, along with knowledge in engineering technology and design. Coursework often includes topics like rocket propulsion, aerospace navigation, and environmental testing of aerospace systems.
Credentials awarded
What Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,786 graduates / yr · 76 institutions67%
- Master's degree2,669 graduates / yr · 71 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship461 graduates / yr · 43 institutions4.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate97 graduates / yr · 11 institutions1.0%
- Associate's degree39 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year38 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Doctor's degree - other1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,345 |
| 2013 | 5,191 |
| 2014 | 5,353 |
| 2015 | 5,646 |
| 2016 | 5,787 |
| 2017 | 6,064 |
| 2018 | 6,245 |
| 2019 | 7,007 |
| 2020 | 7,497 |
| 2021 | 7,933 |
| 2022 | 8,592 |
| 2023 | 9,164 |
| 2024 | 9,492 |
| 2025 | 10,097 |
Top 50 institutions for Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 668 | 83% | — | $71,989 |
| 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 593 | 94% | — | $79,300 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 466 | 74% | — | $81,835 |
| 4 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 461 | 67% | $38,899 | $75,483 |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 302 | 86% | — | $76,856 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 294 | 84% | — | $74,524 |
| 7 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 288 | 78% | — | $67,953 |
| 8 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 277 | 93% | — | $80,225 |
| 9 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralDoctoral | 247 | 92% | $26,873 | $78,980 |
| 10 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 237 | 85% | — | $75,859 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 231 | 86% | — | $73,100 |
| 12 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 205 | 91% | — | $70,760 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 197 | 68% | — | $71,712 |
| 14 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 195 | 89% | — | $78,631 |
| 15 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 165 | 89% | — | $81,022 |
| 16 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 161 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 17 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 157 | 64% | — | $70,383 |
| 18 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 154 | 75% | — | $75,036 |
| 19 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 152 | 85% | — | $70,820 |
| 20 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 142 | 85% | — | $76,881 |
| 21 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 135 | 21% | $21,266 | $75,483 |
| 22 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 133 | 96% | $11,666 | — |
| 23 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 132 | 68% | $38,461 | $75,483 |
| 24 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 132 | 75% | — | $69,716 |
| 25 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 128 | 68% | — | $78,320 |
| 26 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 124 | 75% | — | $74,992 |
| 27 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 122 | 64% | $33,585 | $69,149 |
| 28 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 121 | 69% | — | $66,477 |
| 29 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, COPublicBachelor's | 121 | 88% | — | — |
| 30 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 119 | 82% | — | $68,607 |
| 31 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 116 | 84% | $28,900 | $73,213 |
| 32 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 114 | 73% | — | $73,887 |
| 33 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 113 | 86% | — | $85,509 |
| 34 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 113 | — | — | — |
| 35 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 112 | 85% | — | $68,495 |
| 36 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 112 | 88% | — | $72,062 |
| 37 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 111 | 69% | — | — |
| 38 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 110 | 86% | — | $65,401 |
| 39 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 106 | 76% | — | $74,375 |
| 40 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 105 | 90% | $32,926 | $75,218 |
| 41 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 104 | 93% | — | $71,068 |
| 42 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 64% | — | $76,183 |
| 43 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 96 | 68% | — | $68,226 |
| 44 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 94 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 45 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 89 | 55% | — | $68,002 |
| 46 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 89 | 74% | — | — |
| 47 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 85 | 54% | — | $78,005 |
| 48 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 78 | 87% | — | $67,425 |
| 49 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 78 | 67% | — | $69,056 |
| 50 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 73 | 86% | — | $71,633 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Aerospace field (CIP 14.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 34 states
Where Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Aerospace programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2011, Aerospace Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Aerospace program can pursue careers as Aerospace Engineers, with a promising job outlook of 6.1% growth and approximately 4,500 annual openings. The median wage for aerospace engineers is $134,830, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospace Engineersprimary SOC 17-2011 | $134,960 | +6.1% Faster than average | ~4,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Aerospace specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Aerospace (CIP 14.02).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and technical writing.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an Aerospace Engineer, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or Engineering Teacher.
What is the job outlook for Aerospace Engineers?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with an expected growth of 6.1%.
What is the CIP code for Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering?+
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering is CIP 14.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Aerospace (CIP 14.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems; applied research on flight and orbital characteristics; and the development of systems and procedures for the launching, guidance, and control of air and space vehicles.
How many institutions offer Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering programs?+
97 U.S. institutions reported Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 34 states, awarding 10,097 credentials in the year. That is 99.9% of all Aerospace graduates.
How much do Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Aerospace Engineers occupation, which Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $134,960 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Aerospace field report median earnings of $72,607 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Aerospace graduates, so its figures match the Aerospace program page.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card