by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Astronautical Engineering involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development, And Operational Evaluation Of Aircraft And Space Vehicles. Includes Instruction In Control Systems, Fluid Dynamics, Electrical Circuits Systems, Orbital Mechanics, Propulsion, Remote Sensing, Satellites, Spacecraft Centers, Spacecraft Systems Engineering, And Space Exploration. Continue reading for the key facts every astronautical engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering astronautical engineering programs.
Nationwide, astronautical engineering is a popular field of study, with 57 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Astronautical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for astronautical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of astronautical engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Astronautical Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations astronautical engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a astronautical engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a astronautical engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several astronautical engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 49 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8 |
People currently working in careers related to astronautical engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 34.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.6% |
| Master’s degree | 12.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 11.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.9% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in astronautical engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in astronautical engineering opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to astronautical engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to astronautical engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 214,833 | 10.6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Aerospace Engineers | 138,496 | 5.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of astronautical engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $77,688 |
| 4 years | $89,440 |
| 5 years | $101,440 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for astronautical engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers astronautical engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $77,835 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $63,328 |
With 2 different astronautical engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased astronautical engineering school rankings to help you.
Those considering astronautical engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General | 9,539 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
