Best institutions to study Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology
A program that focuses on the principles, technology, and maintenance of ground-based systems and equipments used to support aviation flight operations and space operations.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 80 Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 29.0401, a specialization of Military Systems and Maintenance Technology (CIP 29.04), and leads most directly to the Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3021).
About Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology programs
A program that focuses on the principles, technology, and maintenance of ground-based systems and equipments used to support aviation flight operations and space operations. Includes instruction in computer science, electronics, basic sciences and quantitative methods, air conditioning and refrigeration, corrosion control, fluid power, hazardous materials, industrial safety, maintenance management, vehicle and equipment operation, and applications to specific ground support systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology program, part of the Military Systems and Maintenance Technology curriculum, focuses on the principles and maintenance of ground-based systems that support aviation and space operations. This program is designed for students interested in military technologies and applied sciences, providing essential skills for maintaining and operating aerospace equipment.
Students will gain knowledge in various areas, including computer science, electronics, air conditioning, fluid power, and industrial safety. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and hands-on experience with ground support systems.
Credentials awarded
What Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree78 graduates / yr · 1 institution98%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
Graduates over time
Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2022 | 57 |
| 2023 | 58 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 80 |
Top 2 institutions for Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology, 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 78 | 65% | $28,911 | $66,126 |
| 2 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 51% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Military Systems and Maintenance Technology field (CIP 29.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Military Systems and Maintenance Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1 | 78 | Liberty University78 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | Lake Superior State University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3021, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology program can pursue careers as Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.1%, approximately 900 annual openings, and a median wage of $79,830, typically requiring at least an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 29.0401
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 Engineering and Operations Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3021 | $82,890 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~900 | Associate's degree |
SOC 55-3012 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology 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
- Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
- Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
- Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
- Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
Tools and technology used
Other Military Systems and Maintenance Technology specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Military Systems and Maintenance Technology (CIP 29.04).
- Air and Space Operations TechnologyCIP 29.0402partial data116 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Military Information Systems TechnologyCIP 29.0406limited data15 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Explosive Ordinance/CIP 29.0404
Bomb Disposal limited data14 graduates / yr1 institutions - Radar Communications and Systems TechnologyCIP 29.0409limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 5 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Aircraft Armament Systems Technology29.0403
- Joint Command/
Task Force (C329.0405 - Missile and Space Systems Technology29.0407
- Munitions Systems/
Ordinance Technology29.0408 - Military Systems and Maintenance Technology29.0499
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Military Systems and Maintenance Technology programs →
Common questions
What degree can I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 2 colleges offering this program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, science, and writing, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth of 8.1% and around 900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology?+
Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology is CIP 29.0401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Military Systems and Maintenance Technology (CIP 29.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the principles, technology, and maintenance of ground-based systems and equipments used to support aviation flight operations and space operations. Includes instruction in computer science, electronics, basic sciences and quantitative methods, air conditioning and refrigeration, corrosion control, fluid power, hazardous materials, industrial safety, maintenance management, vehicle and equipment operation, and applications to specific ground support systems.
How many institutions offer Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 80 credentials in the year. That is 35.4% of all Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates.
How much do Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $82,890 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Military Systems and Maintenance Technology field report median earnings of $66,126 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.
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