What Are the Top Aerospace Science Schools?
You might find some good options for aerospace study at the schools discussed in this article. Learn about the criteria for choosing a program. Get the details about schools covered below, including awards and program overviews.
What Should I Look For In An Aerospace Science Program?
The best aerospace science schools tend to have strong connections with government and corporate agencies. They might offer foreign study opportunities. Internships and co-op programs may be available that allow you to gain hands-on experience. Some schools offer degree programs online. Excellent workshop and laboratory facilities could help you realize your research goals.
Three Top Aerospace Science Schools
Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta
The Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech had U.S. News & World Report's fourth-ranked aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering undergraduate program for 2019. It also had the third-ranked graduate program in the same year. Georgia Tech has instructed the U.S. military in aviation since 1917.
Your aerospace engineering major program will address technologies applicable to aircraft and spacecraft. You'll be encouraged to enter national competitions. If you choose the Cooperative Plan as a freshman, you'll complete five terms of work before graduation. The International Plan requires foreign language skills in order to prepare for a career in your preferred region. The Research Option requires a thesis. The Daniel Guggenheim School also offers a 5-year combined bachelor's and master's program.
Different laboratories and projects are available. The master's program offers specialties, ranging from aerodynamics and fluid mechanics to system design and optimization. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. The doctoral program is individualized and does not require a specific program of study. These options are possible:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aerospace Engineering
- B.S./Master of Science (M.S.) in Aerospace Engineering
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering
University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA)
In 2019, UCLA was ranked as the 16th best engineering school by U.S. News & World Report. The school was also ranked 13th for is aerospace, aeronautical and aeronautical engineering programs at the graduate level. As an aerospace engineering major at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, you'll learn about design and construction of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as spacecraft. This major requires completion of an individual or team-based project. The Student Research Program facilitates undergraduate research. UCLA also offers competitive undergraduate research fellowships and research scholars programs. In addition to a campus-based master's program, an online master's program in engineering is available that allows you to specialize in aerospace engineering.
You might become involved with the Institute for Technology Advancement, a cross-disciplinary organization that provides research incubators and short-term strategic support to industry projects. You'll have access to a research and development machine shop, as well as a smaller scale student shop, for engineering design projects. The following programs are available:
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineering
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering
- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering
University of Colorado (UC) in Boulder
In 2019, UC was ranked 10th among schools with graduate aerospace programs by U.S. News and World Report.
The Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences has tenure track faculty. Various concentrations are available in your major. In addition to your bachelor's degree, you could earn an international engineering certificate focused on German, Chinese, Japanese and other languages or cultures. International co-op experiences are also available. You could participate in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences' Active Learning Program to incorporate experiences from beyond the classroom.
Aerospace engineering systems is one of four potential focus areas for master's and doctoral candidates. The Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory offers skill-based training in the use of test and measurement, manufacturing and electronics equipment. You might also use facilities of the Center for Aerospace Structures. Distance learning options are available through the Center for Advanced Engineering and Technology Education. A graduate certificate program is available to students who wish to participate in a research exchange with a European university. The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Certificate in Astrodynamics and Satellite Navigation Systems
- Certificate in Remote Sensing
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineering Science
- BS/MS in Aerospace Engineering Science
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Systems
- M.S. in Astrodynamics and Satellite Navigation Systems
- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Systems
- Ph.D. in Astrodynamics and Satellite Navigation Systems
Ten Top Schools That Offer Aerospace Degrees
| College/University | Institution Type | Location | Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4-year, Private | Cambridge, MA | $55,000 |
| California Institute of Technology | 4-year, Private | Pasadena, CA | $52,000 |
| Stanford University | 4-year, Private | Stanford,CA | $51,000 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 4-year, Public | Ann Arbor, MI | $23,000 |
| Purdue Global | 4-year, Public | West Lafayette, IN | $10,000 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 4-year, Public | Champaign, IL | $18,000 |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | 4-year, Public | College Station, TX | $10,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 4-year, Public | Austin, TX | $12,000 |
| Cornell University | 4-year, Private | Ithaca, NY | $30,000 |
| Princeton University | 4 year, Private | Princeton, NJ | $51,000 |
*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education