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Best Value Aerospace Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates command the highest earnings at $76,460 annually, while University of Florida students pay just $6,351 in net costs, creating a striking 146% difference in program expenses. These aerospace programs feed directly into California's massive space industry, where SpaceX, Boeing, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory create thousands of engineering positions annually. Georgia Tech and University of Michigan maintain acceptance rates below 18%, reflecting the competitive nature of top-tier programs, while schools like Wichita State accept 95% of applicants. The earnings spread from $59,485 to $76,460 demonstrates how program reputation and regional job markets impact starting salaries. West Virginia University Institute of Technology shows the lowest graduation rate at 36%, contrasting sharply with Georgia Tech's 92% completion rate. Students can access quality aerospace education for under $15,000 annually at all 15 programs, making this field accessible across various budget ranges.
50
Programs
$6,351 – $33,139
Net Price Range
$65,118
Avg. Program Earnings
76.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $68,965 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $6,747 $71,575 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
3 $8,931 $60,839 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
4 $9,957 $65,238 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
5 $10,650 $59,485 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
6 $11,580 $64,087 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
7 $13,289 $69,983 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
8 $11,750 $61,218 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
9 $13,485 $67,995 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
10 $12,997 $65,238 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
11 $13,741 $68,219 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
12 $15,624 $76,460 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
13 $14,832 $70,736 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
14 $13,773 $64,659 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
15 $13,776 $64,328 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
16 $13,670 $63,501 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
17 $13,945 $63,643 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
18 $15,201 $68,219 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
19 $15,590 $67,899 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
20 $14,013 $60,072 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
21 $12,840 $54,974 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
22 $15,960 $67,660 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
23 $19,813 $83,177 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
24 $15,501 $63,005 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
25 $15,288 $61,516 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
26 $17,413 $68,666 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
27 $16,174 $63,005 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
28 $17,139 $64,328 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
29 $15,235 $55,693 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
30 $18,701 $65,945 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
31 $18,292 $63,377 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
32 $18,165 $62,734 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
33 $16,931 $56,415 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
34 $21,480 $71,255 $16,430 75.0% 80.7%
35 $17,365 $57,318 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
36 $19,733 $65,080 $11,665 21.6% 57.7%
37 $22,881 $74,576 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
38 $19,678 $63,997 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
39 $20,924 $66,005 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
40 $18,109 $56,641 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
41 $20,470 $59,485 $10,782 73.4% 67.7%
42 $23,156 $64,990 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
43 $23,790 $65,029 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
44 $23,897 $61,380 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
45 $19,353 $49,644 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
46 $27,075 $66,941 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
47 $27,823 $67,995 $62,693 96.8% 12.9%
48 $31,927 $75,832 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
49 $31,955 $67,748 $57,950 73.6% 78.4%
50 $33,139 $69,140 $61,884 83.2% 64.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $9,273 difference between the lowest and highest net costs?

University of Florida leads with $6,351 net costs due to strong state funding and lower living expenses in Gainesville. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo reaches $15,624 because of California's higher costs and limited financial aid for this specialized program. Public funding levels vary significantly by state, with Florida investing heavily in engineering education. The middle range clusters around $11,000-$14,000 for most programs.

How do graduation rates correlate with program selectivity in aerospace engineering?

Georgia Tech combines a 17% acceptance rate with 92% graduation rate, showing how selective admissions improve completion odds. University of Michigan follows similarly at 18% acceptance and 93% graduation. West Virginia Institute of Technology accepts 65% but graduates only 36%, indicating that open access doesn't guarantee success. The most selective programs consistently show graduation rates above 85%.

Where do aerospace engineering graduates earn the most relative to their college costs?

New Mexico State provides the best earnings-to-cost ratio, with $71,575 salaries against $6,747 net costs. University of Florida graduates earn $68,965 while paying just $6,351, creating another strong value proposition. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo justifies its $15,624 cost with $76,460 earnings, the field's highest. California schools dominate the top earnings despite higher program costs.

Does student debt burden vary significantly across these aerospace programs?

University of Washington students graduate with the lowest debt at $12,410, while West Virginia programs show $27,242 in average debt. Most programs cluster between $20,000-$25,000 in student debt upon graduation. California schools like UC San Diego keep debt around $20,000 despite higher living costs. Debt levels don't necessarily correlate with net program costs due to varying financial aid packages.

What makes California schools dominate the highest-earning aerospace programs?

Six California programs appear in this ranking, with graduates earning $60,839 to $76,460 annually. The state hosts SpaceX, Boeing's space division, and numerous defense contractors that compete for talent. Silicon Valley's proximity drives up starting salaries for aerospace engineers working on commercial space ventures. California's aerospace industry employs over 500,000 people, creating strong demand for new graduates from state programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.