Masters in Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering is concerned with atmospheric and space flight. Experts argue that it is one of the youngest fields of engineering since reliable flying machines could become a possibility only in the 19th century.

Aerospace science is broadly classified into aeronautics and astronautics. Aeronautics deals with the design, development, testing, and maintenance of aircraft that operates within the Earth’s atmosphere. The most common examples are airplanes and helicopters, jets, gliders, autogyros, etc. Astronautics, on the other hand, is concerned with spacecraft, rockets, space systems, and their components.

Over the last few decades, the space race has become fiercer with many developing countries joining in. Besides this, the competition for cheaper technology for air-transport and for amassing the latest technology for aerial-warfare has also become sharper. As a result, governments, space research agencies, private manufacturers, and space transporters have been on a hunt to recruit the best aeroscience talent. It has also led to the emergence of specialized areas within aerospace science. Sub-fields and allied disciplines of Aerospace Engineering like Aeroacoustics, Avionics, Climate Science and Cryogenic Engineering, etc. are gaining momentum and creating a huge demand for Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering.  

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Even though the work of Aerospace Engineers is much more particular unlike those of Chemical, Mechanical or Civil Engineers, whose skills have wider applications, employment opportunities for them are still rising. According to the 2018 data of the United States Department of Labour, the rise in employment rate stood at 3.4%. The maximum percentage rise in the employment rate until 2026 is expected to be 6%. Globally, the growth rates in the Aerospace and Defense sector have been better than those in Commercial Aerospace (2018 study by Deloitte, Global aerospace, and defense industry financial performance). The US has been the most favorable location for Aerospace manufacturing, followed by Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The most common Masters in Aerospace Engineering requirements include the following:
 
Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering eligible for admission to a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (make sure that the degree is accredited). That does not mean that other science graduates cannot apply for a Master degree in Aerospace Engineering. However, fundamental courses in engineering and mathematics are a must at the undergraduate level. Some institutions might ask the students to take a few leveling courses before they can begin their Master’s program. Professional experience gives an extra edge to the application.

Other Requirements

TOEFL / IELTS: Nearly 50% of the top 100 universities in the world are in the English speaking world, so TOEFL and IELTS scores are very important for applying. Many others offer instruction in English and ask for TOEFL or IELTS scores before admission. Students should check the score that the university or department or program demands.
GRE: Even where GRE is not an eligibility criterion for admission to an aerospace program, it might still boost the chances of getting admission. Minimum GRE and average GRE are two different criteria. Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores are weighted differently by some universities. Planetary Science and Atmospheric Science are the main test subjects for Aerospace degree programs.
Undergraduate GPA: Usually, a GPA of 3.0 is a must. Some universities might consider the GPA exclusive of the extracurricular courses. Students are also advised to check the minimum number of credits that go in calculating the GPA score.
Letters of Recommendation and Statement of Purpose: Most of the top Universities of the world require Letters of recommendation and Statement of Purpose for better assessment of applications. Not all universities might ask for LOR and SOP but they are counted as Masters in Aerospace Engineering admission requirements.
It shall be noted that these are the most common Masters in Aerospace Engineering admission requirements and by no means an exhaustive list. Students should always look for a complete list of requirements and different eligibility scores of particular programs for each university.

Cost of Master’s in Aerospace Engineering?

The Masters in Aerospace Engineering fees ranges from 25,000USD to 50,000USD for the total tenure of the course. It varies depending on the type of institute, private costs more than the public institutions. The average tuition fee for master’s programs in the United States ranges from general is around 20,000$. Above that, one has to take into account the boarding expenses that depend upon the standard of living of the city in which the university is located. Northeastern and southwestern coastal regions are the most expensive in the US. Southeastern and central US are moderately expensive while south-central, north-central and western parts are cheaper. The expenditure for Master’s in Aerospace Engineering in Europe varies from country to country. However, as compared to the US, fees and boarding expenses are much less. As compared to best US universities, one would have to spend only 50-70% or less for a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering in best European Universities in UK, France, Germany or the Netherlands.

The best programs for Master’s in Aerospace Engineering are known for the wide scope of their course structure. The following specializations in Master degree in Aerospace Engineering are projected to retain their demand in the skill-market.

Aeronautics and Astronautics

It is the broadest specialization. The program focuses on the structural, aerodynamic, guidance and control, and propulsion problems of aircraft and spacecraft. It is also concerned with designing, manufacturing and operations of complex aerospace systems and vehicles. It is known for its immense interdisciplinary character.
Program Components: Aircraft Design, Computational Aerosciences and Aerospace Control Systems are some of the key themes of this specialization.
Road Ahead: The main job profiles include Aerospace Engineer; Aeronautical Engineer; Program Manager Aviation / Aerospace.

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Atmospheric and Space Science Engineering / Space Engineering / Applied Climate Engineering

It is mainly involved with the study of atmospheric phenomena, such as weather and their impact on astronautics including propulsion.
Program Components: Rocket Science, Climate Physics, Space Weather, Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, etc. are some of the key courses.
Road Ahead: Graduates get job opportunities as Astrophysicists, Climate Scientists, Climatologists, Aircraft and Spacecraft Testers, etc.

Space Systems Engineering

This field is a confluence of astronautics and space engineering. It is the study of subsystems involved in a space mission.
Program Components: Main courses include Satellite Communication, Spacecraft Attitude, Radiation Effects, Orbital Mechanics, etc.
Road Ahead: Space Systems Engineers work as Space Systems Electronics Inspector, Space and Weapons System Engineer and Space System Analyst etc.

Aeroacoustics

It deals with the study of sound generated and propagated during high speed flows involving spacecrafts and aeronautical objects.
Program Components: Gas Dynamics, Time Series Analysis, Viscous Flow, Turbulence, Flow Noise, and Hydrodynamic Stability are some of the key courses.
Road Ahead: Aeroacoustic experts may find jobs as Acoustic Susceptibility Engineers Aerodynamics Engineers and Wind Tunnel Test Engineers.
 
Leading departments regularly update Masters in Aerospace Engineering courses to tune them to the needs of industry and governments. Shifts in the trends of aerospace research are dictated by the most pressing challenges impeding the breakthroughs in aerospace science. This is the reason that a greater emphasis on research is being paid in MS in Aerospace Engineering programs.

Global Rank

College Name Popularity Rank Global Rank Total Tuition Fees Deadline Annual RA+TA Unsecured Loan Offer Secured Loan Offer
Georgia Institute of Technology 1 70 57136 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Purdue University 2 105 58264 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Michigan 3 21 99016 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Southern California 4 132 61805 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Colorado Boulder 5 182 66276 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 6 69 68660 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Stanford University 7 2 108030 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 8 1 103040 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
The Pennsylvania State University 9 93 76932 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Maryland, College Park 10 129 46440 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Iowa State University 11 471-480 51428 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
The University of Texas at Arlington 12 NA 38072 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of California, Los Angeles 13 33 53088 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
North Carolina State University 14 263 50810 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Cornell University 15 14 59000 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 16 367 53648 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Cincinnati 17 501-550 49064 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Florida 18 178 60260 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
The University of Texas at Austin 19 67 37884 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Arizona State University 20 209 60396 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Wichita State University 21 NA 26712 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
California Institute of Technology 22 4 104466 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Texas A&M University 23 195 67333 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Minnesota -Twin Cities 24 163 42000 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
San Diego State University 25 801-1000 28608 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 26 364 105100 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University at Buffalo, SUNY 27 318 45300 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of California, San Diego 28 38 53088 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Missouri University of Science and Technology 29 651-700 50164 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
The Ohio State University 30 86 68128 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Notre Dame 31 216 105492 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
University of Houston 32 601-650 36612 Log in Log in Log in 1.5 Cr, Interest Rate starts @8.85%
Source: GyanDhan's analysis, partner data & university's website. While deadlines are latest, other figures are as of 2018. Double-check deadlines from the university's website

Aerospace Engineer

It is one of the major yet an in-demand and lucrative job profile currently. Aerospace Engineers design, develop, test and ensure the upkeep of aeronautical and astronautical products. They may also work on plans of fabricating and modifying aircrafts and spacecrafts (and their components). A chief feature of their job is model testing, wherein they test the models of aerospace equipment for their environmental feasibility and operational accuracy. This can involve developing programs, conducting stress test, aeroacoustic and avionic tests etc. Minimizing production costs and meeting the quality standards or even bettering them is one of the chief challenges of their job in a highly competitive market. Selecting and testing the right materials for manufacturing of aerospace products is another skill expected from them.

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Aerospace Systems Engineer

Aerospace Systems Engineers are expected to be adept in handling large aerospace programs. Designing and developing programs according to the needs of the aerospace projects, experimentation and aerospace missions is another chief responsibility. In a certain regard, aerospace systems engineers take over where aerospace engineers leave. They not only work on modifying the aerospace products according to the larger system, but also ensure that the sum is greater (and better) than its parts. They may work on improving the performance of aerospace products such as uninhabited air vehicles, satellite systems, weapon systems, missiles and rockets. The industry demands advanced skills in mathematics and computer programming from aerospace systems engineers. Often their role is one of team-leaders, so they are expected to have both the breadth and depth of knowledge of various aspects of aerospace science. Only the universities that offer ample options for latest i.e. best course for masters in aerospace engineering are able to train promising systems engineers.

Propulsion Engineer

Propulsion Engineers are concerned with propulsion systems of aircrafts, spacecrafts and missiles. They have to design, build, test, maintain and modify propulsion systems. Their job also involves the creation of assessment models to check the performance of a propulsion system within the overall aerospace system. They usually work in tandem with aerospace engineers and mechanical engineers. The chief focus of propulsion engineers is motors, engines and compressors. They work on bettering the performance of these parts so that propellant systems, pumps, engines, control systems and pressurization tanks can fit into the overall design of the vehicle. With a rapid advancement in the manufacturing technology, propulsion engineers are expected to work skillfully with the designs on computers even though manual drawings often become a necessity.

Project Engineer

Aerospace Project Engineers have to plan, coordinate and ensure the execution of aerospace projects for companies, governments or military. They have to ensure that all components of an aerospace system including vehicles, communication equipment, machinery and aviation systems are organized properly for efficient functioning. Their job is one of both a technical expert as well as a manager. When it comes to aerospace manufacturing projects, their work becomes even more crucial as they not only have to build the vehicles, components and systems from scratch but also assign and assist the aerospace experts of various departments. Taking care of the strict safety rules is also their responsibility.

Test Engineer

Aerospace Test Engineer has to plan, execute, report systems for flight control. Quality of flight tests is instrumental in the success of aerospace projects and they are the duty of a test engineer. The job of test engineers involves determining the conditions required for flight tests, list the safety guidelines and make evaluation reports. These details go into making the published test plans. They have to communicate with flight and ground crews and look after telemetry monitoring of various parameters. They have to work in coordination with the flight control design specialists to find solutions to the issues that surface in flight tests. Excellent knowledge of flight control software and hardware is expected of them.

The story of Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors in well-known. It is a pointer to the massive changes that the aerospace industry has undergone over the past few decades. There were times when aerospace experts could find jobs mostly in the government and military but things have changed. Private aerospace players are increasingly becoming the norm and an increasing number of governments are depending on them for the supply of their civilian and military aerospace equipment. These trends will multiply the jobs for aerospace engineers in the coming years. Besides, aerospace science is crucial for the development of the telecommunication industry as well since their future depends on much more efficient satellite systems. It would not be an exaggeration to say that promising aerospace engineers not only have to make the correct choice about the university they choose to study at, but also ensure that they choose the right mix from the list of master degree courses in Aerospace Engineering. That would ensure that they get higher Masters in Aerospace Engineering salary for their talents because sometimes even the sky is not the limit, the limits are far beyond.

Global Rank Employability Range Salary Range
1-10 Log in Log in
11-25 Log in Log in
26-50 Log in Log in
51-100 Log in Log in
101-200 Log in Log in
201-500 Log in Log in
500+ Log in Log in
Source: GyanDhan's proprietary analysis
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