2026 Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in California

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 203 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $95,562. Typical student debt for the program is $21,140. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of Southern California

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 101 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University 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. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for Stanford University

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

4

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

Students looking for a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering program will find one at California Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. 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. About 19 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent 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

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 107 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $96,072 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #6 among 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. 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. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $21,305 in student loans. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for University Of California San Diego

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for San Jose State University

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #8 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 61 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,425. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $18,950 in student loans. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of California Irvine

9

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 115 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees 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

10

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 53 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $71,633 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $19,058 in student loans. Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of California Davis

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #11 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 123 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $78,320 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $26,295 in student loans. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 146 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $66,477 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,300. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for California State University Long Beach