Aerospace Engineering major

Aerospace Engineering: courses, careers, and where to study

Aerospace Engineering applies aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and control systems to the design of aircraft and spacecraft, suiting students drawn to flight and space vehicles.

An Aerospace Engineering major is typically a bachelor's degree (BS) covering aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, aircraft and spacecraft structures, materials, and guidance, navigation, and control. Like other engineering BS programs, it builds on a foundation of calculus, differential equations, and physics, and most curricula split into aeronautics (aircraft within the atmosphere) and astronautics (spacecraft and orbital mechanics) tracks, ending in a senior capstone design project.

Graduates design, analyze, test, and certify aircraft, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles, and propulsion systems, often using CAD, computational fluid dynamics, finite-element analysis, and wind-tunnel or flight testing. They work for aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers, defense contractors, airlines, and government agencies such as NASA and the FAA, frequently within teams alongside mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.1% employment growth for aerospace engineers from 2024 to 2034, and reports a 2024 median wage of $134,830 for the occupation. The typical entry-level education for these roles is a bachelor's degree.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Aerospace Engineering maps to CIP 14.0201, Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General, within the ENGINEERING family. The official definition:

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems; applied research on flight and orbital characteristics; and the development of systems and procedures for the launching, guidance, and control of air and space vehicles.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • Calculus, differential equations, and engineering physics
  • Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, including compressible and subsonic/supersonic flow
  • Propulsion systems (jet engines, rockets, and gas turbines) and thermodynamics
  • Flight mechanics, stability, and aircraft/spacecraft control systems
  • Aerospace structures, materials, and finite-element analysis
  • Orbital mechanics and astronautics for spacecraft and satellites
  • CAD, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and simulation tools
  • Wind-tunnel, propulsion, and flight testing in a senior capstone design project

Typical careers

  • Aerospace engineers
  • Aeronautical Engineer
  • Propulsion Engineer
  • Spacecraft / Satellite Systems Engineer
  • Flight Test Engineer
  • Structural Analysis Engineer

Typical salary range: Informational only (BLS, 2024 aerospace engineers median $134,830)Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Before you commit to a Aerospace Engineering major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Aerospace Engineering program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Aerospace Engineering department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Engineering and some computing programs may hold ABET accreditation, which can matter for professional licensure (the PE path) and for some employers and graduate schools. Check whether the Aerospace Engineering programs you are considering are accredited for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Aerospace Engineeringcareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Aerospace Engineering program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Aerospace Engineering programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

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How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.