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.
College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools.
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Choosing a Great Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering School
The aerospace & aeronautical engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh 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. 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 129 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. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Johns Hopkins University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is 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.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $95,562. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,140 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering program will find one at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 148 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $17,724 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. About 544 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Stanford University landed the #6 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 282 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $94,124. Typical student debt for the program is $21,603.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $93,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 215 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $87,496 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,951 to complete this degree.
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Purdue University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 543 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $88,159 early in their careers. 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
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #11 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. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 147 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $81,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #13 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. 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 Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for California Institute Of Technology
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #15 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $96,072 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego earned the #16 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $65,401. Typical student debt for the program is $21,305.
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University Of Colorado Boulder placed #17 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 382 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data 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. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 287 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $85,388. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $22,208 in student loans.
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Cornell University placed #19 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. 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. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from Cornell University earn around $102,439 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for Cornell University
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. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 200 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $81,851 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,573 in student loans.
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San Jose State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of 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. There were roughly 83 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Auburn University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 128 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from Auburn University earn around $68,607 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #23 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 296 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $76,856 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Irvine landed the #24 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish 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. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $67,425 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,950.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. 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. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $70,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,574.
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
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering education:
This ranking is produced 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).
