by our College Data Analytics TeamAerospace & Aeronautical Engineering was the 102nd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 7,996 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 5.2% increase in aerospace engineering degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 7,582.
Our 2023 Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 68 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for aerospace and aeronautical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aerospace engineering programs later in this article.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to aerospace engineering. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most aerospace engineering degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific aerospace engineering careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different aerospace engineering degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in aerospace and aeronautical engineering to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common aerospace engineering degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to aerospace engineering, with approximately 39.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to aerospace engineering tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 46.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 27.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 11.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 3.4% |
Most workers in aerospace engineering have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in aerospace and aeronautical engineering have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the aerospace engineering career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your aerospace engineering degree? Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering careers are expected to grow 7.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aerospace and aeronautical engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Aerospace Engineers | 73,800 | 6.0% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for aerospace engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for aerospace and aeronautical engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers aerospace engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $117,100 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
With over 217 different aerospace engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased aerospace engineering school rankings to help you with this.
One of 0 majors within the Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering area of study, Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.
