by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 29 U.S. colleges awarded 810 degrees and certificates in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing, rising to $73,481 after four years.
A major in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology explores Aeronautical/aerospace Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Developing, Manufacturing And Testing Aircraft, Spacecraft And Their Systems. Includes Instruction In Aircraft/spacecraft Systems Technology, Design And Development Testing, Prototype And Operational Testing, Inspection And Maintenance Procedures, Instrument Calibration, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 810 degrees awarded annually. 29 colleges award aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology degrees, an average of 28 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 165.
By level, the 810 awards include 109 certificates, 188 associate degrees, 318 bachelor’s degrees and 195 master’s degrees.
Women earned 17% of aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (140 of 810). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (489) and Hispanic or Latino (116), and international students earned 25.
College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology Schools ranking, including 8 for associate degrees, 6 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology schools within 6 states. In all, 29 colleges offer aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 318 of the 810 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology call most for Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Engineering and Technology and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 109 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 188 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 318 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 195 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology, at 43.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 43.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 27.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.5% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Master’s degree | 1.0% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology, with an average median salary of $78,044; the strongest outlook belongs to Mechanical Drafters, at 12.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Aerospace Engineering Technologist, Research Mechanic, Test Specialist and Test Equipment Mechanic.
The occupation related to aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology with the most projected jobs is Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians, at 214,833.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 214,833 | 10.6% |
| Mechanical Drafters | 127,074 | 12.6% |
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing their program, $73,481 after four years and $76,013 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,919 |
| 4 years | $73,481 |
| 5 years | $76,013 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to aeronautical/aerospace engineering technology, with a median salary of $78,252.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Drafters | $78,252 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $77,835 |
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology has 5 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 5,195 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician (3,360), Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician (1,292) and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (476). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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