Those who work in the aeronautical engineering field often describe it as exciting, challenging, and profitable. However, competition for the high paying jobs in this field is keen. Possessing the best degree possible from one of the top aeronautical engineering schools can greatly increase the potential employee's chances for rising to the top. Many of the top aviation universities specifically tailor their programs of study to coincide with the demands of the industry, thus insuring that their graduates have the advantage.
Aeronautical Engineering School Accreditation
The student must practice due diligence in planning out their career path and the required educational components to meet that goal. Part of that involves researching the prospective college or university offering aviation or aeronautical engineering degrees. Many prospective students make the mistake of enrolling in a school only to find that the courses are aviation education courses, but not necessarily aeronautical engineering classes. The astute student needs to ask direct questions from the college's counselors to ascertain whether or not the college offers a degree program that will result in a degree in aeronautical engineering or a Master's of Science degree. Also, one of the critical questions is that of accreditation. Is the prospective college recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education? If not, it is possible that the education and the degree earned will not be considered viable by an employer, nor recognized by other colleges if advanced degrees are sought.
The purpose of accreditation is to guarantee that the education received by students meets acceptable levels of quality to keep America competitive globally. Additionally, the college's accreditation determines how much money is granted to that school for financial aid.
Cost of Aviation Engineering Schools
The average tuition can cost between $10,000 dollars a semester and $15,000 dollars a semester. Why the disparity? Most of it has to do with location and reputation of the school, size of the school, and types of specialized degrees offered. Most universities offer financial aid in one form or another. Financial aid money is highly sought after and one must apply early and often to obtain it. Reports state that Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the most economical schools to offer a true aeronautical engineering degree, while MIT is pricier. Those who find this type of education out of their reach financially opt to go into the Air Force where they may receive training in engineering.
Top Five Aeronautical Engineering Schools
The following are among the top engineering schools in the United States. They were selected on criteria based on amount of graduates, salaries earned on average by graduates, number of graduates working in their field of study, and degrees offered.
California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, California). Those pursuing a Master's degree often manage to complete it in one year's time, as opposed to other programs that take up to two years to complete. They also have research centers that are located on campus as well as combined degrees between their medical facilities and the engineering departments. Tuition: $35,000/year.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Nearly half of those attending MIT are in the engineering programs, and many specialize in aeronautical engineering. They also have many working research centers that often have breakthrough discoveries each year. Those already working as engineers, but wanting to specialize in another field can apply to MIT's career reengineering program. Tuition: $40,000/year.
Stanford University. Stanford boasts 65 centers and labs across its campus that offers students the ability to become involved in numerous research projects. Located near Silicon Valley, students often have no problem interning or finding employment after graduation. Tuition: $40,000/year.
Purdue College of Engineering. With 70 academic programs and over 600 programs of study, Purdue Engineering is a powerhouse when it comes to any engineering field, including aeronautical engineering. Indications show that competition for enrollment is high for the aeronautical engineering school, so it would be wise to apply early and often. Tuition: $30,000/year
University of Michigan: Ann Arbor. This university supports project-based teaching curriculum allowing students to learn firsthand and apply what they have been learning in the classroom. Multiple curriculums are aimed specifically for the aeronautical engineering student. Tuition: $ 40,000/year