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. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,140 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering from University Of Southern California

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 101 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $111,760 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for Stanford University

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. 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. About 97 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $90,170 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program at University Of California Los Angeles

4

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

A rank of #4 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. 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

5

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. 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. 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

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 115 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego 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. 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 earned the #7 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data 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 earned the #8 position for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for University Of California Irvine

9

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #9 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 115 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $74,375 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for San Diego State University

10

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 aerospace & aeronautical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program make about $71,633 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,058 to complete this degree. 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 came in at #11 for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,295. See the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 146 aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $66,477 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,300 to complete this degree. Get the full aerospace & aeronautical engineering details for California State University Long Beach