Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their aerospace & aeronautical engineering programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 76 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering School
The school you choose for aerospace & aeronautical engineering can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 161 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $128,330. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Johns Hopkins University
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 247 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $95,562 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,140 in student loans.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of Southern California
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, ranking #3. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Students borrow a median of $17,724 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 277 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $94,124. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,603 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 142 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $93,709 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #6 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 593 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $91,589 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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Stanford University placed #7 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 94 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from Stanford University earn around $111,760 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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Purdue University Main Campus came in at #8 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 668 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $88,159. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus
California Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 18 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $173,344 in their early career.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California Institute Of Technology
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 165 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $81,022 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 237 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $87,496 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,951 to complete this degree.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Los Angeles placed #12 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 104 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $90,170 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of California Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #13 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 113 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $96,072 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Cornell University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from Cornell University earn around $102,439 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Cornell University
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 466 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $89,370. Typical student debt for the program is $25,039.
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University Of Maryland College Park came in at #16 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 195 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $78,631 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Irvine landed the #17 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 78 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $67,425 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,950.
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Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 294 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $85,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,208.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California San Diego ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 110 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $65,401. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $21,305 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of California San Diego
University Of Florida placed #20 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 205 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $81,851 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,573.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of Florida
San Jose State University placed #21 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 111 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from San Jose State University
Auburn University came in at #22 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 119 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $68,607. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Auburn University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 152 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $70,820 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,574 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
San Diego State University came in at #24 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 106 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $74,375 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from San Diego State University
University Of Notre Dame earned the #25 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $81,057. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year:
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 76 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
