Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools to find the best for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students.
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Choosing a Great Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering School
Where you study aerospace & aeronautical engineering matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering rankings. For our Best Overall Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
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Best Schools for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering
No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 129 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $128,330 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Johns Hopkins University
Students looking for a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 192 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 203 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $95,562 in the first couple years of their career. 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
Students looking for a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering program will find one at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 148 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,724.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Students looking for a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering program will find one at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 544 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $91,589. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Stanford University earned the #6 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 101 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $111,760. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at Stanford University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 282 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $94,124 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,603 to complete this degree.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 117 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $93,709 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 215 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $87,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,951.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 543 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $88,159 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for Purdue University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #11 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 147 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $81,022. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #12 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 163 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $78,631 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of Maryland College Park
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 97 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $90,170. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of California Los Angeles
California Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 19 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California Institute Of Technology
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #15 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 107 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California San Diego landed the #16 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 115 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $65,401 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,305.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of California San Diego
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 382 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. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $25,039 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of Colorado Boulder
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 287 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $85,388 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,208.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Cornell University earned the #19 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 32 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $102,439 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at Cornell University
University Of Florida ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 200 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data 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.
Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for University Of Florida
San Jose State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for San Jose State University
Auburn University came in at #22 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 128 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at Auburn University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #23 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 296 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $76,856 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of California Irvine landed the #24 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $67,425 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $18,950 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of California Irvine
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #25 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 130 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $70,820 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,574 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Rest of the Top 50 Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s aerospace & aeronautical engineering ranking:
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Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 99 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).