by our College Data Analytics Team
[Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying aerospace and aeronautical engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send aerospace and aeronautical engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the top school for aerospace and aeronautical engineering graduate earnings in New York. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Early-career aerospace and aeronautical engineering graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute make a median of around $98,049 per year.
Syracuse University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in aerospace and aeronautical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Early-career aerospace and aeronautical engineering graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $98,978 per year.
Clarkson University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in aerospace and aeronautical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Clarkson University earn a median of about $95,489 a year early in their careers.
University At Buffalo came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying aerospace and aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. After graduating, aerospace and aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo typically earn about $83,498 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their aerospace and aeronautical engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.