Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Aerospace engineers use creative problem-solving and mechanical expertise to create out-of-this-world solutions. They work to design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems, and can specialize in areas such as propulsion systems, structural design, and system engineering.

Earn your bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. Gain hands-on experience through collaborative coursework in structures, materials, gas dynamics, space science, and orbital mechanics. Study with our world-class faculty in innovative classrooms and labs where you learn by doing. Design, construct, and test real products—like the three satellites already built by Michigan Tech engineering students.

At Michigan Tech, hands-on education is your way into the aerospace industry. In addition to your coursework, collaborate with our industry-proven faculty on research projects for the Michigan Tech Aerospace Engineering Research Center (MARC), develop solutions for exploration in Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (PSTDL), or study next-generation thruster systems in the Ion Space Propulsion Lab. In addition, you can begin production of your big ideas by participating in Senior Design, a capstone course where you can develop, design, and test your own working prototype to meet project needs.

  • No. 13
    Best Public College for Engineering in America (Niche)
  • No. 2
    Best Public School for Internships—and Ninth for Career Placement (The Princeton Review)
  • No. 3
    Best Public College in the US for High Salaries (The Wall Street Journal)

Tomorrow Needs Aerospace Engineers

As an aerospace engineer, you will design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and other technologies. You will create and test prototypes—focusing in areas like aerodynamic fluid flow, structural design, navigation and control, and propulsion and combustion. 

Your work as an aerospace engineer can vary from project to project and may include:

  • Coordinating and directing the design, manufacture, and testing of aircraft and aerospace products
  • Assessing project proposals to determine whether they are technically and financially feasible
  • Evaluating designs to ensure that products meet engineering principles, customer requirements, and environmental regulations
  • Developing criteria for design, quality, completion, and sustainment after delivery
  • Inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products to identify sources of problems and possible solutions

At Michigan Tech, our strong industry partnerships and programs make all the difference. Collaborate with industry on real engineering problems through our Enterprise Program and Senior Design course. Distinguish yourself with industry co-ops and internships. Employers will value your ability to perform on the job from day one.

Engineering Enterprise Concentration

You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise program. It's a great way to enhance your undergraduate degree. Enterprise is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. Choose from among 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.

Michigan Tech has a really unique educational structure: it's hands-on, not hand-holding.

Sam Baxendale ‘17 with Oculus-ASR, a student-built nanosatellite
Sam Baxendale ’17
former Aerospace Enterprise team member

Get Career Ready.

Graduate with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Michigan Tech. You will be well prepared to transition to an entry-level job in industry. For students who plan to pursue an advanced degree—desirable for mechanical engineering research positions—our bachelor's degree also provides excellent preparation for graduate school.

Explore career opportunities for aerospace engineers.

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Aeronautical Engineer
  • Astronautics Engineer
  • Avionics Engineer
  • Aircraft Designer
  • Spacecraft Designer
  • Inspector and Compliance Officer
  • Flight Test Engineering

$76,293 mean entry-level salary
Figures from payscale.com, accessed November 2024

Engineering Salaries

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying aerospace engineering at Michigan's flagship technological university.

 

Connected, innovative.

Build real skills at Michigan Tech. Become an engineer.

Gain diverse experience.

Engage in design and research.

Leap forward in your program.

Connect with students and industry.

Watch Space-Obsessed Huskies Are on a Mission video
Preview image for Space-Obsessed Huskies Are on a Mission video
"As an engineer, I’m an optimist. We can invent things that allow us to do things that now seem impossible."Paul van Susante, assistant professor, director of the Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab, and MINE faculty advisor

The MAE Department

Discover and design innovative solutions.

In the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering our challenging coursework, wide-ranging options, and state-of-the-art facilities will provide you with an experience like no other. Once you graduate, you'll have hands-on abilities and the capacity to hit the ground running.

  • We focus on giving students the personal attention and support necessary for not only academic success, but also a positive undergraduate experience overall. And we encourage students to take advantage of our faculty's open-door policy.
  • We limit our class sizes to allow for meaningful student-faculty interaction. The average class size is 31, and the average lab size is 12. Every class is taught by faculty.
  • Department labs and computer centers occupy over 50,000 square feet and 12 stories in the R. L. Smith Building. Within our department, you’ll have the opportunity to experience four semesters of engineering in our ME Practice courses. These courses involve open ended experiences using the same tools as industry uses to test, model, and simulate real world systems.
  • Learn how to be an effective engineer and further expand your toolbox of capabilities by joining an Enterprise team at Michigan Tech. Our department hosts and advises ten different Enterprise teams who work on designing, building, and testing engineering systems for industry clients. As early as your freshman year, you could be creating competition vehicles, nanosatellites, or snowboards. You could develop new ways to mine on the moon and Mars, or focus on Navy projects in all domains: space, air, land, sea, and undersea.
  • You can get involved in world-class engineering research, too. Our students work side by side with our faculty on robotics, autonomous vehicles, alternative energy, materials in medicine, controls, and alternative energy, including energy from ocean waves. Undergraduate research opportunities are plentiful, often in multidisciplinary teams.
  • During your senior year, you'll join a design team to work on industry-sponsored projects for 2 semesters–much like your first job as an engineer. Project sponsors include over 50 companies so nearly anything is a possibility! Some examples include developing a wireless car door opener, designing a quiet, green snowmobile, and creating power tool testing machines. You will take an idea from concept to working prototype.

All of this takes place in one of the biggest mechanical engineering departments in the nation. Michigan Tech is consistently ranked 8th for the total number of mechanical engineering bachelor's degrees granted in the United States.

MTU engineering

Real Engineering. Meaningful Work.

We are committed to inspiring students, advancing knowledge, and innovating technological solutions to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. With an entering engineering class of about 1,000 students, 18 degrees to choose from, and 160+ faculty in the College of Engineering alone, we provide a world-class education with the trusted reputation of Michigan Tech.

As a student at Michigan Tech you’ll work closely with faculty mentors, immerse yourself in experience-powered learning, and gain a thorough understanding of engineering practice. Collaborate and innovate in laboratories, coursework, Enterprise, and Senior Design—you'll work with industry partners on real engineering projects and develop strong skill sets for your future.

You could study abroad, with engineering opportunities ranging from a few weeks to one full year. Or focus on problems facing disadvantaged communities in countries around the world. Michigan Tech’s Global and Community Engagement program offers you a range of options.

More than 400 employers regularly recruit our students for internships, co-ops, and full-time employment. Engineering students average seven interviews, and 98 percent are employed within their field of study, enlist in the military, or enroll in a graduate school within six months of graduation. A degree in engineering from Michigan Tech can take you anywhere.

Tomorrow Needs You

Engineers do a lot of things, but there's one thing we do first and foremost: we help people. We use creative ideas and technologies to solve problems in health care, energy, transportation, hunger, space exploration, climate change, and more—much more. Become an engineer who is ready for what tomorrow needs.

Student Stories

Be an MTUengineer

Join the LEAP leaders, wow the elementary students, and attend the AIPG National Conference.

Teach coding and circuitry. Research combustion and nanotechnology. Do a co-op with Kimberly-Clark. Show us how to slurry sand and complete miners training.

Tell us how important wetland mitigation is to you.

This is what we're all about.

Read Student Stories

A Professional Start

Aerospace engineering majors have great peers:

  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Aerospace Association of Michigan
  • Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association
  • SAE Aero Team
  • Keweenaw Rocket Club

Begin your networking.

Join Clubs and Groups

Beyond Engineering

Engineering majors cultivate their interests and talents at Michigan Tech. Join Superior Wind Symphony, follow military service, and be active in local politics.

Dive into Yucatan Culture.

Attend GeekU.P., become a lifeguard, and do a Canal Run. Be a musher. Set a Guinness World Record. Take part in Parade of Nations.

Let yourself shine.

Go Beyond

"The addition of this new degree is in recognition of the expertise of our faculty, growing research in the areas of aerospace and space technology and engineering, and a tremendous amount of student interest."Jason R. Blough, chair and distinguished professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering