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2023 Best Value Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering

68 Ranked Colleges
7,996 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering is the 102nd most popular major in the country with 7,996 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools” ranking analyzed 68 colleges that offered a degree in aerospace and aeronautical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality aerospace and aeronautical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the aerospace and aeronautical engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The aerospace engineering school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for aerospace engineering students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering

1

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide landed the #1 spot on the list. Embry-Riddle Worldwide is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Daytona Beach, Florida. It awarded 65 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,938 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Embry-Riddle Worldwide Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 181 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $16,002 for aerospace engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Iowa State

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school handed out 426 diplomas to qualified ’s aerospace engineering students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,377 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend Purdue.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Purdue University - Main Campus

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Dayton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 18 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Dayton is $29,928 for Aerospace Engineering students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at UDayton

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s aerospace engineering degrees to 234 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UCF is $8,618 for Aerospace Engineering students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Central Florida Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 168 degrees to qualified ’s aerospace engineering students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $5,135 for Aerospace Engineering students.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Florida Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

7

Wichita State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WSU is $14,859 for aerospace engineering students.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Wichita State University

8

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking. Georgia Tech is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 338 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also took the #5 spot in our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,974 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Georgia Tech

9
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 222 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our aerospace engineering students list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Aerospace Engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Virginia Tech Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

10

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #10. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s aerospace engineering degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $21,122 for aerospace engineering students.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

11
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #11. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 21 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $20,371 for aerospace engineering students.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Western Michigan University

12

California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s aerospace engineering degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for aerospace engineering students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSULB Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

13
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, this large public school handed out 73 diplomas to qualified ’s aerospace engineering students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,122 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend Mississippi State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Mississippi State University

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Alabama in Huntsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. UAH is located in Huntsville, Alabama and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s aerospace engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $17,208 for aerospace engineering students per year to attend University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UAH Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s aerospace engineering students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,257 for aerospace engineering students per year to attend University of Kansas.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at KU

15
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #15, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 86 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WVU is $13,355 for Aerospace Engineering students.

Full WVU Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

17

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 110 ’s aerospace engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,878 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

18

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for aerospace engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

19
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #19. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s aerospace engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,411 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend NC State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full North Carolina State University Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

20

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s aerospace engineering degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UC is $22,415 for aerospace engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at UC

21
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s aerospace engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for Aerospace Engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at San Jose State University

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s aerospace engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $17,945 for Aerospace Engineering students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

23

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #23. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 101 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for Aerospace Engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Report

24

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 81 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,237 for aerospace engineering students per year to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at OSU

25

Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Aerospace Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #25. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 86 ’s aerospace engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $12,964 for aerospace engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

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