Ready to take your career to the moon – and beyond? Give focus to your engineering skills with one of the Best Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation.
What could be more exciting than a career in air and space travel? Are you someone who dreams of the future? Do you have both the vision and the mind for streamlining high-tech transportation systems? It sounds like you're ready to take on one of the best Master's in Aeronautics and Aviation in the nation.
What kind of Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation should you get?
First thing's first: these are the five most respected aeronautics programs in the United States. You're lining up for a chance to be the best in your field. Since this degree covers a lot of ground, you can expect to find a variance in the degrees offered. Some are in Aviation Management; others are in Aerospace Engineering. You really can't go wrong with either.
You might also notice that a number of these programs offer focus areas within the degree. This is a great way to deepen your knowledge in one particular area. Some of your options include Aerospace Education Technology, Air Traffic Management, Aviation Operations, Aerospace Safety Systems, Human Factors, Space Studies, Unmanned Aerospace Systems, and more!
If you're looking for a similar graduate program, but want to prioritize your budget above all, take a look at our ranking of the Most Affordable Online Graduate Colleges.
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How much money do people make with a Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation?
As it turns out, jobs in this field are well-rewarded when it comes to a paycheck. If your end goal is to become an aerospace engineer, you're looking at an annual salary of around 113,000. If you're more interested in the larger scope of air travel, you can become an air traffic controller and make around 124,000 per year. Not too shabby, right?
Salaries among commercial pilots and air traffic controllers are high, with median pay in 2018 of more than $100,000 for both positions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects slow growth in aeronautics and aviation work, however, with both air traffic controllers and pilots seeing growth of less than 5% through 2026.
What can you do with a Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation?
Earning a Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation gives you access to more than just the skies above us. You'll be equipped with the skills to shape our future. There are careers waiting for you in all sorts of areas within this sector. You can apply your education to manufacturing, engineering, safety, public education, management, and more.
The most popular application for this degree is in Aeronautical Engineering. With this degree under your belt, you can work on NASA shuttles, Tesla vehicles, regional transportation systems, and more. Degree programs in aeronautics and aviation broaden one's understanding of all elements of the field. These degrees can help you in multiple jobs.
What are the requirements for a Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation?
These degree programs are some of the best and most respected aeronautics programs in the nation. You're going to have to work hard to get into these programs. Make sure to have a bachelor's degree (and a decent GPA) in a field that is related to engineering or science. You'll also need to take the GRE. Work especially hard on the quantitative sections.
A master's degree in aeronautics or aviation generally requires about two years' worth of coursework, or between 30 and 45 credit hours of study. Some programs require students to complete a capstone project or thesis which explores some element of the field in greater detail. Some may offer specializations in topics like operations or safety systems.
What are the best Master's in Aeronautics/Aviation?
These rankings weigh multiple factors when looking for the best degrees. While the cost and subsequent early-career salary of graduates plays a role, metrics like student satisfaction, graduation rate, and retention rate also go into the final calculation. All data used comes from U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, PayScale.com, and university websites.
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