Prospective Students

Even the sky’s not the limit

The Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering is an international leader in aerospace education and research. Our undergraduate program is ranked 16^th nationally by U.S. News & World Report, and our students are consistently among the most highly recruited by industry, government, and graduate schools nationwide.

An ever-expanding space

The aerospace industry continues to globalize, and the demand for innovative, well-prepared aerospace engineering graduates remains strong. Our vision is to further strengthen our position as a national and world leader in aerospace education and develop broadly educated, technically sound aerospace engineers who will become future leaders in a critical industry, and who will go on to make a significant, positive impact on global society and contribute to programs of national importance.

A launchpad for success

Penn State aerospace students develop professional excellence, engineering thinking, and gain deep technical knowledge in the core disciplines and integrative systems of aerospace engineering through an innovative curriculum and world-class instruction that reflects current industry practice and embraces future trends.

Undergraduate students obtain a solid understanding of the foundations of aerospace systems: aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, dynamics and controls, and software. They also gain valuable fundamental knowledge about emerging fields such as unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), nano-materials, autonomous systems, and wind energy.

Close and personal space

As an aerospace engineering student at Penn State, you’ll investigate challenging, fundamental problems in aerospace science and technology within a tight-knit collegial community and learning environment, led by a distinguished and diverse faculty. Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities and have the opportunity to be involved in practical, hands-on team projects that not only emphasize learning and discovery, but also ethics, leadership, and communication skills.  

Discovering new frontiers

Aerospace engineering is inherently multidisciplinary but is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary every day with applications in non-traditional aerospace sectors such as wind energy, robotics, biomedical, and manufacturing. At Penn State, we ensure our students develop a superior foundation for academic and professional success and are well-prepared to obtain positions of significant responsibility in, and contribute to, various industries including aircraft, helicopters, launch vehicles, spacecraft, engines, mission payloads, and various hardware and software suppliers to vehicle integration companies.

Our graduates find employment in a wide range of areas, from large aerospace firms to smaller manufacturing and software companies, government laboratories, and academia. Also, approximately one in 25 holders of a degree in aerospace engineering in the U.S. earned it from Penn State, so as a graduate, you’ll be part of a strong, supportive alumni network to help further your professional development and expand your career.

Reserve your space

If you want to be a part of the next generation of leading-edge aerospace engineers who will push the boundaries of air and space travel to help make the world a better place, and who will develop the most innovative technologies and systems that provide solutions to societal challenges, then we’d love to talk to you.

Plan a visit today and learn what it means to be a Penn Stater and a Penn State aerospace engineer.