Aerospace Science and Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepares students for advanced roles in the dynamic aerospace sector through a comprehensive exploration of flight systems, aviation operations, and industry infrastructure. This interdisciplinary program integrates engineering principles, operational management, and regulatory frameworks to cultivate expertise in modern air transportation environments.
- Aircraft Systems Engineering: Explores the design, functionality, and integration of propulsion, avionics, and structural components within aircraft platforms.
- Aviation Operations Management: Focuses on the coordination and optimization of flight schedules, crew assignments, and ground logistics for safe and efficient air travel.
- Flight Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Examines international and national standards, accident investigation methodologies, and risk mitigation strategies in civil aviation.
- Air Traffic Control and Navigation Technologies: Covers the principles of airspace management, radar systems, satellite-based navigation, and communication protocols in air traffic operations.
- Aviation Business and Economics: Analyzes the financial models, market dynamics, and strategic planning essential to airlines, airports, and aerospace service providers.
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Integration: Investigates the operational, legal, and technological challenges associated with drone deployment in commercial, military, and public safety applications.
- Sustainable Aviation Technologies: Addresses emerging innovations in fuel efficiency, alternative propulsion, and environmental impact reduction across the aviation lifecycle.
Aerospace Science and Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Aerospace Science and Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Aerospace Science and Technology degrees, including Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 213,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers 11-3071 | $102,010 | $61,200 - $180,590 | 213,000 | $49.05 |
Aerospace Science and Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $77,390 in Mississippi to $150,590 in Delaware—a 95% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 213,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Aerospace Science and Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 81 institutions offering Aerospace Science and Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Aerospace Science and Technology is found at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide (1,559 graduates), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Daytona Beach (633 graduates), Liberty University (526 graduates), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) (388 graduates), and University of North Dakota (UND) (320 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 6,327 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
1,559 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | worldwide.erau.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
633 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | daytonabeach.erau.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
526 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
388 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
320 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
266 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
225 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.erau.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
147 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
137 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
128 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Middle Georgia State University (MGA) |
Bachelor's
|
119 | Macon, Georgia | Public | mga.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
116 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
93 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
92 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
88 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
88 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Everglades University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
87 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | evergladesuniversity.edu |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
78 | Durant, Oklahoma | Public | se.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
65 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
61 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
59 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
|
54 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
54 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Lewis University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Associate's
|
32 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Public | ecsu.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Polk State College |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | polk.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Lynn University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | lynn.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Other Award
|
23 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Averett University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Danville, Virginia | Private | averett.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Princess Anne, Maryland | Public | wwwcp.umes.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Hinds Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Raymond, Mississippi | Public | hindscc.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Fairmont State University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Fairmont, West Virginia | Public | fairmontstate.edu |
| Delaware State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Dover, Delaware | Public | desu.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Florida Memorial University (FMU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | fmuniv.edu |
| University of Cincinnati |
Associate's
|
10 | Batavia, Ohio | Public | ucclermont.edu |
| Delta State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Cleveland, Mississippi | Public | deltastate.edu |
| Laurel Ridge Community College |
Other Award
|
9 | Middletown, Virginia | Public | laurelridge.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Pearl River Community College (PRCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Poplarville, Mississippi | Public | prcc.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNK) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Kearney, Nebraska | Public | unk.edu |
| North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) |
Other Award
|
8 | Wahpeton, North Dakota | Public | ndscs.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
8 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Andrews University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
7 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Schenectady County Community College (SUNY SCCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Schenectady, New York | Public | sunysccc.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| New River Community College (NRCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Dublin, Virginia | Public | nr.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | mctc.edu |
| Yavapai College |
Associate's
|
5 | Prescott, Arizona | Public | yc.edu |
| William Jessup University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rocklin, California | Private | jessup.edu |
| Hampton University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hampton, Virginia | Private | hamptonu.edu |
| Iowa Lakes Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | Estherville, Iowa | Public | iowalakes.edu |
| Capitol Technology University |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Schnecksville, Pennsylvania | Public | lccc.edu |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Hampton, Virginia | Public | vpcc.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Associate's
|
1 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| University of Louisiana (ULM) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Monroe, Louisiana | Public | ulm.edu |
| Siena Heights University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | sienaheights.edu |
| Atlantic Cape Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Mays Landing, New Jersey | Public | atlanticcape.edu |
| Dakota College (DCB) |
Residency
|
1 | Bottineau, North Dakota | Public | dakotacollege.edu |
| Rose State College (RSC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Midwest City, Oklahoma | Public | rose.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Aerospace Science and Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Aerospace Science and Technology degree?
Salaries for Aerospace Science and Technology graduates vary by role and location. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn a median of $102,010 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $150,590 compared to $77,390 in Mississippi. Approximately 213,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Aerospace Science and Technology programs?
Currently 81 accredited institutions offer Aerospace Science and Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide (1,559 graduates), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Daytona Beach (633 graduates), and Liberty University (526 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Aerospace Science and Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3,351 in 2010 to 6,327 in 2023-24. This represents a 89% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Aerospace Science and Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 213,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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