100 Best Aerospace Engineering schools in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Aerospace Engineering. A graph of 49.3M citations received by 1.34M academic papers made by 800 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Aerospace Engineering

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Aerospace Engineering

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Aerospace Engineering

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

4. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Aerospace Engineering

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

5. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Aerospace Engineering

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

6. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Aerospace Engineering

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

7. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Aerospace Engineering

#7 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Aerospace Engineering

#8 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

9. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Aerospace Engineering

#9 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

10. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Aerospace Engineering

#10 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

11. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Aerospace Engineering

#11 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

12. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Aerospace Engineering

#12 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

13. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Aerospace Engineering

#13 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

14. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Aerospace Engineering

#14 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

15. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Aerospace Engineering

#15 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

16. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Aerospace Engineering

#16 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

17. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Aerospace Engineering

#18 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

18. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Aerospace Engineering

#19 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

19. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Aerospace Engineering

#20 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

20. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Aerospace Engineering

#21 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

21. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Aerospace Engineering

#23 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

22. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Aerospace Engineering

#24 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

23. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Aerospace Engineering

#25 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

24. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Aerospace Engineering

#26 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

25. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Aerospace Engineering

#27 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

26. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Aerospace Engineering

#28 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

27. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Aerospace Engineering

#29 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

28. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Aerospace Engineering

#30 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

29. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Aerospace Engineering

#31 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

30. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Aerospace Engineering

#32 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

31. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Aerospace Engineering

#33 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

32. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Aerospace Engineering

#34 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

33. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Aerospace Engineering

#36 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

34. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Aerospace Engineering

#37 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

35. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Aerospace Engineering

#39 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

36. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Aerospace Engineering

#40 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

37. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Aerospace Engineering

#42 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

38. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Aerospace Engineering

#44 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

39. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Aerospace Engineering

#45 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

40. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Aerospace Engineering

#46 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

41. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Aerospace Engineering

#47 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

42. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Aerospace Engineering

#48 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

43. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Aerospace Engineering

#49 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

44. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Aerospace Engineering

#51 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

45. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Aerospace Engineering

#52 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

46. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Aerospace Engineering

#53 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

47. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Aerospace Engineering

#54 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

48. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Aerospace Engineering

#55 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

49. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Aerospace Engineering

#56 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

50. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Aerospace Engineering

#57 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

51. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Aerospace Engineering

#59 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

52. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Aerospace Engineering

#60 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

53. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Aerospace Engineering

#61 in North America

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

54. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Aerospace Engineering

#62 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

55. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Aerospace Engineering

#63 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

56. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Aerospace Engineering

#64 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

57. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Aerospace Engineering

#65 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

58. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Aerospace Engineering

#66 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

59. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Aerospace Engineering

#67 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $47,427

60. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Aerospace Engineering

#68 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $12,328
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,018

61. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Aerospace Engineering

#69 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

62. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Aerospace Engineering

#70 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

63. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Aerospace Engineering

#71 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

64. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Aerospace Engineering

#72 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

65. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Aerospace Engineering

#73 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

66. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Aerospace Engineering

#74 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

67. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Aerospace Engineering

#75 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

68. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Aerospace Engineering

#76 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

69. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Aerospace Engineering

#77 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

70. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Aerospace Engineering

#78 in North America

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1443
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,887

71. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Aerospace Engineering

#80 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

72. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Aerospace Engineering

#81 in North America

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

73. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Aerospace Engineering

#82 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

74. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Aerospace Engineering

#83 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

75. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Aerospace Engineering

#84 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

76. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Aerospace Engineering

#85 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

77. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Aerospace Engineering

#86 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

78. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Aerospace Engineering

#88 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

79. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Aerospace Engineering

#89 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 95%

80. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Aerospace Engineering

#90 in North America

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

81. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Aerospace Engineering

#91 in North America

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

82. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Aerospace Engineering

#93 in North America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

83. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Aerospace Engineering

#94 in North America

#258 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

84. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Aerospace Engineering

#95 in North America

#260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

85. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Aerospace Engineering

#96 in North America

#263 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

86. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Aerospace Engineering

#97 in North America

#264 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

87. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Aerospace Engineering

#98 in North America

#265 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

88. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Aerospace Engineering

#99 in North America

#276 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

89. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri | Rolla

For Aerospace Engineering

#101 in North America

#279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 99%

90. Naval Postgraduate School

California | Monterey

For Aerospace Engineering

#102 in North America

#282 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 2,441
Male:Female: 79:21
Founded: 1909

91. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Aerospace Engineering

#104 in North America

#291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

92. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Aerospace Engineering

#105 in North America

#292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

93. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Aerospace Engineering

#106 in North America

#293 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

94. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Aerospace Engineering

#107 in North America

#301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

95. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Aerospace Engineering

#108 in North America

#305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

96. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Texas | Dallas

For Aerospace Engineering

#110 in North America

#309 in the World

Enrollment: 2,549
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1943

97. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Aerospace Engineering

#111 in North America

#312 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

98. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Aerospace Engineering

#112 in North America

#314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

99. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Aerospace Engineering

#113 in North America

#315 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,261
Male:Female: 38:62
Founded: 1963

100. Old Dominion University

Virginia | Norfolk

For Aerospace Engineering

#114 in North America

#318 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 94%

The best cities to study Aerospace Engineering in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Stanford, Cambridge, Ann Arbor, and Berkeley.