collageAerospace & Aeronautical Engineering is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #64 most popular doctor’s degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.
For its 2023 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for aerospace and aeronautical engineering students pursuing a doctor’s degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 361 doctor’s degrees in aerospace and aeronautical engineering during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What Is a PhD in Aerospace Engineering?
A PhD in Aerospace Engineering is the highest academic qualification in the field of aerospace design. Aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering are the two main branches of aerospace engineering, the former involving aircraft that function within Earth’s atmosphere and the latter involving aircraft outside Earth’s atmosphere.
Maintenance engineers, aircraft developers, and spaceship developers are just a few of the career options open to those with an aerospace engineering PhD. Similar fields of study include robotics, automotive engineering, and mechatronics.
How to Get Into an Aerospace Engineering PhD Program: Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering are typically a four-year undergraduate degree or, in some cases, a master’s degree. The bachelor’s degree can be in any engineering field with core subjects related to aerospace engineering.
Other typical requirements for admission into this degree program include the submission of academic transcripts, scores from standardized tests like the GRE/GMAT, a letter of recommendation, a thoroughly updated resume, and a personal statement to indicate your dedication. Having a strong research background and articles published in scientific journals may also be required.
PhD in Aerospace Engineering Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree and an engineering background
- Copies of academic transcripts and published articles (if any)
- Letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose or personal statement
- A comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae
Aerospace Engineering PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Aerospace Engineering?
It is very hard to get into a PhD program in aerospace engineering because it is one of the toughest engineering degrees. Do you know the saying, “It isn’t rocket science”? Well, this literally is rocket science. You need to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of engineering and mathematical concepts in order to excel in this field.
The acceptance rates for aerospace engineering PhD programs at the top universities are quite low. For example, the California Institute of Technology’s aerospace engineering PhD program has an acceptance rate of about 9 percent. However, this school’s particular engineering graduate program has been singled out as the most selective in the nation. There are other programs that are less challenging to get into if you are motivated and prepared.
Best PhDs in Aerospace Engineering: In Brief
| School | Program | Online Option |
|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | PhD in Aeronautics or Space Engineering | No |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | No |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics | No |
| Princeton University | PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | No |
| Stanford University | PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics | No |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | No |
| University of Colorado Boulder | PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences | Yes |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | No |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | No |
| University of Texas at Austin | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | No |
List of Top 10 Best Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in the World
Best Aeronautical Engineering colleges for the aspirants who wish to get into the best colleges in the world:
- Virginia Tech :
- The University of Texas at Austin :
- Stanford University :
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign
- University of Maryland College Park :
- California Institute of Technology:
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Purdue University West Lafayette:
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor:
- School of Aerospace Engineering of Georgia Institute of Technology:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
10. Virginia Tech
It is a public land grant university which offers 215 graduate and undergraduate degree which is shortly known as Virginia Tech.
It is a Polytechnic institute and State University in which both Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering are distinguished in the same entity which is unique.
More than $6.5 million is the annual expenditure for the research program which engages all the faculties actively with enriched facilities along with water tunnels, wind tunnels, high-performance computer systems, structural test equipment, and state-of-the-art aircraft simulators.
9. The University of Texas at Austin
According to the US News and World Report, the University of Texas for its graduate and undergraduate programs has remained ranked among the top ten programs in the nation.
The University of Texas which was found in 1883 has the Department of Aerospace alongside Engineering Mechanics since it has granted its first degree in 1927.
The University of Texas is one of the best Research Universities found in the world.
8. Stanford University
Leland Stanford Junior University which is normally called Stanford University is a private research university, located in-between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley it was founded in the year 1885.
One of the seven school’s division is Engineering and Stanford also includes Aerospace Engineering which consists of Astronautics and Aeronautics.
This is based on 5 priorities those are control and navigation, computational based design structural health monitoring, space systems, and sustainable aviation.
7. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign
Aerospace engineering found as Aeronautical engineering department in 1944 derived from the Mechanical engineering department option.
More than 100 graduate and more than 150 undergraduate and also professional programs are available here.
It is designed to be an RU/VH research university which means very high research activities and is a public research-intensive university in the US, state of Illinois.
By 1969, it claimed the largest enrollment in the United States by having over 20 different laboratories as consistently developing major advances in aircraft and space applications by 606 undergraduate students then.
6. University of Maryland College Park
It is a public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George’s country which was found in 1856.
It showed a keen interest in aerospace flight by launching Russia’s Sputnik in 1959 as aeronautical science was separated from the mechanical engineering department only till 1949.
As a result, the name was changed to aerospace engineering which included both astronautic engineering and aeronautic engineering degrees.
Currently, it is available with high ranked aerospace engineering programs, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees which are specifically available at the University of Maryland.
5. California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology which was found has the preparatory and vocational school in 1891 now has an aerospace department known as The Graduate Aerospace Laboratories of California Institute of Technology(GALCIT).
Located in Pasadena, California, United States it is a private research university focusing on engineering and science.
It provides Aerospace minor available for undergraduate program and aeronautics, Educational exchange program with Ecole Polytechnique available for graduate program and space engineering.
4.School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Purdue University West Lafayette:
Purdue University located in West Lafayette offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates and over 70 masters and doctoral programs.
Since about 1920, a small scale of aeronautical education existed and School of Aeronautics was established separately till 1945.
In 1943, the School of Mechanical and the first B.S degrees of aeronautics were awarded.5,824 BS degrees,1,439 MS degrees, and 474 PhD degrees are been awarded in the first sixty years of existence.
3. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is known as the state’s oldest university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
According to US News, it stands no.3 in undergraduate program ranks and stands no.1 among public institutions.
In1914, the first collegiate also aeronautics program was started and since then 6,000 aeronautical and aerospace engineers have been graduated.
Five university alumni have orbited the earth and three went to the moon and more than 20 alumni others have been employed with SpaceX and were involved with Dragon mission.
2. School of Aerospace Engineering of Georgia Institute of Technology:
Located in Atlanta, it is a public research university that has pushed itself to the top research universities in the United States.
It focuses mainly on science and technology and is also considered as one of the oldest and having largest educational programs of an aerospace program in the country.
As early as 1917, the Georgia Institute of Technology was asked to instruct US Army personnel in aviation matters.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The MIT constitutes a unique system is education and is consistently known for research and physical science education.
Since 1861 the year MIT was founded, it has remained in the top ranking in engineering fields.
An aerospace department named AeroAstro established in 1914 and Aerostar had been considered as America’s oldest and respected university aerospace program within 100 years of experience and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This was the list of the biggest Top 10 Best Aeronautical engineering colleges in the world that are considered to be the most prestigious institutions to provide the best education in the field and bring out the best of a student, thus contributing to the field of aeronautical science.
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Can You Get a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Online?
Yes, you can get a PhD in Aerospace Engineering online. An online program will provide flexibility and convenience for you, which is especially helpful if you wish to pursue your PhD with fewer compromises to your work and personal life.
Best Online PhD Programs in Aerospace Engineering
| School | Program | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | 4 years |
| Mississippi State University | PhD in Aerospace Engineering | 4 years |
| University of Alabama | PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics | 4 years |
| University of Colorado Boulder | PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences | 4-6 years |
| University of North Dakota | PhD in Aerospace Sciences | 4-7 years |
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Aerospace Engineering?
It takes about four to five years to get a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, which is the lengthiest timeframe for a degree. The main reason it takes so long to complete these engineering degree programs is that it requires original and authentic research, which takes time and dedication to produce.
The process will train you to be a researcher who can make innovative discoveries. You will first complete advanced courses for the program, then conduct research using professional research techniques, and lastly write a professional and publishable dissertation, which for aerospace engineering can be book-length.
Is a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Hard?
Yes, a PhD in Aerospace Engineering is hard. An aerospace engineer must have a deep understanding of engineering science and technology. The design and construction of aircraft and spacecraft necessitates extensive knowledge of mathematics, encompassing principles like geometry, calculus, and statistics.
When it comes to design and testing, you will need a solid understanding of computers and electronic components. You must also possess a great deal of focus and dedication to complete your research and write your thesis. Strong communication skills come into play in writing articles for publication and defending your thesis.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Aerospace Engineering?
It costs about $19,792 per year to get a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics. This cost applies to all public and private postsecondary degree-awarding institutions. The average annual tuition for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from a public institution is $12,410 per year, while the same degree from a private institution costs comparatively more per year, around $26,597.
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