Best Universities for Aviation in North America

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in North America ranked based on their research performance in Aviation. A graph of 231K citations received by 14.7K academic papers made by 107 universities in North America 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. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States | Massachusetts

For Aviation

#1 in the United States

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

United States | Georgia

For Aviation

#2 in the United States

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

3. University of California - Berkeley

United States | California

For Aviation

#3 in the United States

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

4. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

United States | Illinois

For Aviation

#4 in the United States

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

5. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

United States | Florida

For Aviation

#5 in the United States

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $38,983

6. University of Texas at Austin

United States | Texas

For Aviation

#6 in the United States

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

7. San Jose State University

United States | California

For Aviation

#7 in the United States

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $9,210
Enrollment: 35,751

8. Stanford University

United States | California

For Aviation

#8 in the United States

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

9. Purdue University

United States | Indiana

For Aviation

#9 in the United States

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

10. Ohio State University

United States | Ohio

For Aviation

#10 in the United States

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

11. George Mason University

United States | Virginia

For Aviation

#11 in the United States

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

12. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

United States | Virginia

For Aviation

#12 in the United States

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

13. University of Central Florida

United States | Florida

For Aviation

#13 in the United States

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

14. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

United States | Michigan

For Aviation

#14 in the United States

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

15. University of Maryland - College Park

United States | Maryland

For Aviation

#15 in the United States

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

16. University of Washington - Seattle

United States | Washington

For Aviation

#16 in the United States

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

17. University of Toronto

Canada | Ontario

For Aviation

#1 in Canada

#31 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

18. Harvard University

United States | Massachusetts

For Aviation

#17 in the United States

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

19. University of British Columbia

Canada | British Columbia

For Aviation

#2 in Canada

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
Founded: 1908

20. Arizona State University - Tempe

United States | Arizona

For Aviation

#18 in the United States

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

21. University of Southern California

United States | California

For Aviation

#19 in the United States

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

22. University of California - Santa Cruz

United States | California

For Aviation

#20 in the United States

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $21,202
Enrollment: 19,478

23. Johns Hopkins University

United States | Maryland

For Aviation

#21 in the United States

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

24. University of Florida

United States | Florida

For Aviation

#22 in the United States

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

25. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

United States | New York State

For Aviation

#23 in the United States

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $34,758
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $6,444

26. University of California - Davis

United States | California

For Aviation

#24 in the United States

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

27. Carnegie Mellon University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Aviation

#25 in the United States

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

28. Pennsylvania State University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Aviation

#26 in the United States

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

29. University of California-San Diego

United States | California

For Aviation

#27 in the United States

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

30. Iowa State University

United States | Iowa State

For Aviation

#28 in the United States

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

31. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

United States | Minnesota

For Aviation

#29 in the United States

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

32. University of South Florida

United States | Florida

For Aviation

#30 in the United States

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

33. Brigham Young University - Provo

United States | Utah

For Aviation

#31 in the United States

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

34. Texas A&M University - College Station

United States | Texas

For Aviation

#32 in the United States

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

35. University of Oklahoma - Norman

United States | Oklahoma State

For Aviation

#33 in the United States

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

36. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

United States | New Jersey

For Aviation

#34 in the United States

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

37. Concordia University

Canada | Quebec State

For Aviation

#3 in Canada

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

38. University of Virginia

United States | Virginia

For Aviation

#35 in the United States

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

39. United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs

United States | Colorado

For Aviation

#36 in the United States

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Enrollment: 4,085

40. University of Utah

United States | Utah

For Aviation

#37 in the United States

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

41. University of Pennsylvania

United States | Pennsylvania

For Aviation

#38 in the United States

#103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

42. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

United States | North Carolina

For Aviation

#39 in the United States

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

43. California Institute of Technology

United States | California

For Aviation

#40 in the United States

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $20,755
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $59,192

44. McGill University

Canada | Quebec State

For Aviation

#4 in Canada

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 37,888
Founded: 1821

45. University of Colorado Boulder

United States | Colorado

For Aviation

#41 in the United States

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

46. Seattle University

United States | Washington

For Aviation

#42 in the United States

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $35,412

47. University of Kansas

United States | Kansas State

For Aviation

#43 in the United States

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

48. Naval Postgraduate School

United States | California

For Aviation

#44 in the United States

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 2,670
Male:Female: 78:22
Founded: 1909

49. University of California - Irvine

United States | California

For Aviation

#45 in the United States

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

50. Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management

United States | Ohio

For Aviation

#46 in the United States

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Enrollment: 1,048
Male:Female: 81:19
Founded: 1919

51. University of Miami

United States | Florida

For Aviation

#47 in the United States

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

52. University of Cincinnati

United States | Ohio

For Aviation

#48 in the United States

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

53. Vanderbilt University

United States | Tennessee

For Aviation

#49 in the United States

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

54. University of North Dakota

United States | North Dakota

For Aviation

#50 in the United States

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $6,387
Enrollment: 13,876

55. Cornell University

United States | New York State

For Aviation

#51 in the United States

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

56. University of Denver

United States | Colorado

For Aviation

#52 in the United States

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,423

57. University at Buffalo

United States | New York State

For Aviation

#53 in the United States

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

58. Old Dominion University

United States | Virginia

For Aviation

#54 in the United States

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 92%

59. Texas Tech University

United States | Texas

For Aviation

#55 in the United States

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

60. Drexel University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Aviation

#56 in the United States

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,267

61. Auburn University

United States | Alabama

For Aviation

#57 in the United States

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 79%

62. Western University

Canada | Ontario

For Aviation

#5 in Canada

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 21,836
Founded: 1878

63. University of Connecticut

United States | Connecticut

For Aviation

#58 in the United States

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

64. Stony Brook University

United States | New York State

For Aviation

#59 in the United States

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

65. George Washington University

United States | District of Columbia

For Aviation

#60 in the United States

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

66. Wichita State University

United States | Kansas State

For Aviation

#61 in the United States

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1107
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 90%

67. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

United States | North Carolina

For Aviation

#62 in the United States

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

68. Yale University

United States | Connecticut

For Aviation

#63 in the United States

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

69. New York University

United States | New York State

For Aviation

#64 in the United States

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

70. University of California - Los Angeles

United States | California

For Aviation

#65 in the United States

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

71. University of Dayton

United States | Ohio

For Aviation

#66 in the United States

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1261
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $30,590

72. San Diego State University

United States | California

For Aviation

#67 in the United States

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $9,934
Enrollment: 37,402

73. University of Illinois at Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Aviation

#68 in the United States

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

74. Oregon State University

United States | Oregon

For Aviation

#69 in the United States

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $9,260
Enrollment: 34,292

75. Royal Military College of Canada

Canada | Ontario

For Aviation

#6 in Canada

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

76. Northern Illinois University

United States | Illinois

For Aviation

#70 in the United States

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $12,552
Enrollment: 15,649

77. University of Texas at Arlington

United States | Texas

For Aviation

#71 in the United States

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1120
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%

78. University of Calgary

Canada | Alberta

For Aviation

#7 in Canada

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1966

79. Florida Institute of Technology

United States | Florida

For Aviation

#72 in the United States

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $30,752

80. University of South Carolina - Columbia

United States | South Carolina

For Aviation

#73 in the United States

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

81. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

United States | Massachusetts

For Aviation

#74 in the United States

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

82. California State University - Long Beach

United States | California

For Aviation

#75 in the United States

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $9,478
Enrollment: 38,973

83. University of Hawaii at Manoa

United States | Hawaii

For Aviation

#76 in the United States

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 80%

84. Northwestern University

United States | Illinois

For Aviation

#77 in the United States

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

85. Clemson University

United States | South Carolina

For Aviation

#78 in the United States

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 85%

86. Duke University

United States | North Carolina

For Aviation

#79 in the United States

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

87. Princeton University

United States | New Jersey

For Aviation

#80 in the United States

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

88. University of Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Aviation

#81 in the United States

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

89. Mississippi State University

United States | Mississippi

For Aviation

#82 in the United States

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

90. University of Wisconsin - Madison

United States | Wisconsin

For Aviation

#83 in the United States

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

91. University of Montreal

Canada | Quebec State

For Aviation

#8 in Canada

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Enrollment: 66,972
Founded: 1878

92. University of Waterloo

Canada | Ontario

For Aviation

#9 in Canada

#213 in the World

Enrollment: 35,900
Founded: 1957

93. Missouri University of Science and Technology

United States | Missouri

For Aviation

#84 in the United States

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1272
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

94. Northeastern University

United States | Massachusetts

For Aviation

#85 in the United States

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,827

95. University of Nebraska at Omaha

United States | Nebraska

For Aviation

#86 in the United States

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $8,180

96. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Canada | Quebec State

For Aviation

#10 in Canada

#223 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

97. University of Alberta

Canada | Alberta

For Aviation

#11 in Canada

#224 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

98. Washington State University

United States | Washington

For Aviation

#87 in the United States

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

99. Catholic University of America

United States | District of Columbia

For Aviation

#88 in the United States

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Net Price: $36,031
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $34,449

100. Georgetown University

United States | District of Columbia

For Aviation

#89 in the United States

#237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,566

Engineering subfields in North America

Acoustical Engineering876

Aerospace Engineering801

Agricultural Engineering101

Applied/Engineering Physics245

Architectural Engineering250

Architecture225

Automation and Control engineering255

Automotive Engineering313

Biochemical Engineering192

Biomedical Engineering297

Biotechnology483

Chemical Engineering635

Civil Engineering585

Computer Engineering319

Computer Networking833

Construction Management194

Electrical Engineering870

Electronic Engineering500

Engineering Management345

Environmental Engineering377

Firefighting and Fire Science209

Geotechnical Engineering526

Human-Computer Interaction471

Industrial Engineering188

Landscape Architecture203

Marine Engineering217

Materials Science1168

Mechanical Engineering1036

Metallurgical Engineering869

Mining Engineering185

Nanotechnology609

Nuclear Engineering184

Operations Research362

Optical Engineering1024

Petroleum Engineering246

Polymer science and Plastics engineering213

Product and Industrial Design226

Reliability and Quality Engineering307

Remote Sensing374

Renewable Energy Engineering262

Structural Engineering661

Systems Engineering577

Technical Drawing179

Telecommunications815

Transportation Engineering307