2026 Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 99 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, our #1 Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering school in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $17,724. See the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology profile
Stanford University came in at #2 on this year's Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering ranking in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $10,492. Read more about Stanford University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $22,750. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. University Of Southern California Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $21,140 in debt. More on University Of Southern California
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on this year's Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering ranking in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $21,603 in student loans. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $22,542. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $22,208. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Cornell University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. More on Cornell University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $12,000. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $22,699. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,951 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Case Western Reserve University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $26,410. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
University Of Florida placed #16 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $19,573. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Maryland College Park placed #17 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Iowa State University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $26,572. More on Iowa State University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $27,000. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $21,574 in student loans. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Auburn University placed #22 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $20,458. More on Auburn University
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $25,039. More on University Of Colorado Boulder
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $25,853 in debt. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,074. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Get the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Troy, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
University Of California San Diego ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,305 in student loans. More on University Of California San Diego
The University Of Alabama landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The University Of Alabama posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,787 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
University Of Kansas placed #29 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $25,000. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #30 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Central Florida landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $27,875 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
Arizona State University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Get the full Arizona State University report
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #33 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public school based in Huntsville, AL. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More on University Of Alabama At Huntsville
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. See the full The University Of Texas At Arlington profile
The University Of Tennessee came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $25,243 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Melbourne, FL. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $26,982. Read more about Florida Institute Of Technology
Wichita State University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. This public school is set in Wichita, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More on Wichita State University
University At Buffalo landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. University At Buffalo is a public school based in Buffalo, NY. University At Buffalo posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Graduates carry a median of $24,846 in student loans. See the full University At Buffalo profile
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Las Cruces, NM. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,537 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Get the full New Mexico State University Main Campus report
Utah State University placed #40 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Utah State University is a public school based in Logan, UT. Utah State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. More on Utah State University
University Of Arizona placed #41 among Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $23,656 in student loans. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of South Carolina Columbia report
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Syracuse University profile
George Mason University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Get the full George Mason University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
California State Polytechnic University Pomona did well this year, earning the #46 position. See the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona profile
University Of South Alabama landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of South Alabama
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Get the full The University Of Texas At El Paso report
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Dayton came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Dayton
Related Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 99 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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