2026 Best Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 203 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $21,140 to complete this degree. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of Southern California

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, ranking #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 101 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $111,760 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from Stanford University

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 117 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $93,709 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 97 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $90,170 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

A rank of #5 makes California Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 19 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for California Institute Of Technology

6

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #6 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 107 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $96,072. 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

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,305 to complete this degree. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of California San Diego

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 83 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at San Jose State University

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,425. Typical student debt for the program is $18,950. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for University Of California Irvine

10

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 115 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from San Diego State University earn around $74,375 in the first couple years of their 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

11

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #11 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 53 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $71,633 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,058. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for University Of California Davis

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #12 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 123 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $78,320 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,295 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #13 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school 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. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $25,300 in student loans. More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from California State University Long Beach