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Aerospace Engineering Schools and Programs in The United States

27 schools in The United States teach Aerospace Engineering.

Aerospace Engineering Studies in The United States

Aerospace engineering deals with the design, development and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) distinguishes two common branches: aeronautical engineers, who work with aircraft, and astronautical engineers, who work with the science and technology of spacecraft. In the United States the subject is taught mainly at four-year universities, in a dedicated aerospace department or in a combined mechanical and aerospace engineering department.

How the degree is organised

The first qualification is a bachelor's degree, usually a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aerospace Engineering. According to EducationUSA, a bachelor's degree is usually completed in four years of full-time study, and each institution sets its own number of credits. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, for example, lists 129 credits for its Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. The BLS notes that engineering bachelor's programmes usually include classroom, laboratory and field courses in subjects such as stability and control, structures and mechanics.

Many programmes let students specialise. At its Daytona Beach campus, Embry-Riddle offers four tracks: Aeronautics, Astronautics, Jet Propulsion and Rocket Propulsion. The University of Colorado at Boulder states that its aerospace engineering sciences programme balances the curriculum between aeronautics and astronautics. The Georgia Institute of Technology awards the BSAE degree and also offers a minor in aerospace engineering for students of other disciplines.

At graduate level, EducationUSA describes the master's as a two-year degree and the doctorate as a five- to eight-year programme. Titles vary: The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) lists a one-year, non-thesis M.Eng., an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, and the University of Maryland offers a Master of Science, a Master of Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy, as well as a combined B.S./M.S. programme. The BLS notes that some universities offer a five-year programme leading to both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants must in general have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. The BLS advises future aerospace engineering students to take chemistry, physics and mathematics at secondary school. Applications for a September start are typically due between November and January, and the search should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year. Teaching is in English.

To apply for an F student visa, a student must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students can also begin at a community college: in the "2+2" model described by EducationUSA, two years of community college are followed by two years of university study.

Where to study aerospace engineering in the United States

The schools listed on this page are spread across the country, with no single dominant city; St. Louis has two, Saint Louis University and Washington University in St. Louis. Examples elsewhere include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, which also teaches the degree at its campus in Prescott, Arizona; the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta; the University of Maryland in College Park, where aerospace engineering is a stand-alone department; Penn State in University Park; the University of Colorado at Boulder; and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, whose Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes in aerospace engineering.

Accreditation and recognition

US institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent bodies, not by a central authority. Engineering programmes can in addition be accredited by ABET, a non-governmental agency that accredits programmes, not institutions. ABET describes its accreditation as voluntary and as assurance that a programme meets the quality standards of the profession. Embry-Riddle states that its Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville states that its mechanical and aerospace programmes are ABET-accredited.

This matters for a career in the United States: according to the BLS, employers may prefer graduates of accredited programmes, and a degree from an accredited programme is usually required to become licensed. Licensure is not required for entry-level positions; experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) licence, which each state issues.

Careers

The BLS projects employment of aerospace engineers to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,800 openings each year. Entry normally requires a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. International students should note one restriction stated by the BLS: engineers who work on projects related to national defence may need a security clearance, and some types and levels of clearance require US citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aerospace engineering degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A master's adds about two years, and a doctorate five to eight years, according to EducationUSA.

Why does ABET accreditation matter?

ABET accredits individual programmes. According to the BLS, a degree from an accredited engineering programme is usually required to become a licensed engineer, and employers may prefer graduates of accredited programmes.

Can international graduates work in the US aerospace industry?

That depends on the job and on immigration status. The BLS states that work on national defence projects may need a security clearance, and that some clearances require US citizenship.