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Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Aerospace Engineering, BSAE

Aerospace travel, space exploration and flight of manned or unmanned vehicles continue to gain significance.

Aerospace engineering is involved with the science and technology of advanced vehicles, including aircraft, rockets, missiles and spacecraft.

Although a specialized branch of engineering, it is also diverse. Aerospace technology has expanded to include design and development of new earthbound vehicles, such as ground effect machines, hydrofoil ships and high-speed rail-type systems.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

With aerospace engineering’s broad applications in many industries, our grads can find jobs just about anywhere in the world.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Aeronautical Engineering

    Focused on atmospheric flight vehicles and requires four specialized courses in atmospheric flight dynamics and air-breathing propulsion systems, and two capstone senior design courses on aircraft and their major subsystems.

  • Astronautical Engineering

    Focused on space flight vehicles and requires four specialized courses in spacecraft dynamics and rocket and spacecraft propulsion systems, and two capstone senior design courses on space missions, spacecraft and their subsystems.

  • Unmanned Aerial Systems

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Accelerated Program

    Aerospace Engineering offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.

    Accelerated Program Details

  • Dual Major

    This major offers the option to simultaneously complete a second bachelor's degree in:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Summer Industrial Outreach Program in Mexico.
  • Study abroad opportunities in Europe and Latin America.
  • Eligibility for the Global Competency Certificate.
  • Academic credit for internships and co-op opportunities.
  • Paid hourly research and/or educational credit through MAE 497.
  • Opportunity to be admitted into the Direct Track towards a PhD.
  • Five-year dual degree program leads to both BSAE and BSME degrees.
  • Focus on hands-on team design projects at the sophomore, junior and senior levels.
  • Participation in national and international student design competitions.
  • Regular field trips to the maintenance facility of American Airlines at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
  • Six degrees of freedom motion-based flight simulator.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
  • BSAE program is a designated Program of Excellence by the WVU Board of Governors.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Paid work in research laboratories and/or academic credit through the course MAE 497 - Undergraduate Research are available for students interested in conducting research. Students may also pursue undergraduate research with the NASA Space Grant Consortium.

Specific research opportunities are available in the areas of materials science, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), energy systems, autonomous robotics, computational modeling and simulations, guidance, navigation and controls.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Materials Engineers

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $104,100

Possible job titles include: Materials Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgist, Process Engineer.

Explore Career

Aerospace Engineers

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $130,720

Possible job titles include: Aerospace Engineer, Design Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Systems Engineer.

Explore Career

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

Median Salary: $111,970

Possible job titles include: Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, Equipment Engineer, Principal Engineer.

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Wind Energy Engineers

Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications.

Median Salary: $111,970

Possible job titles include: Project Designer, Transmission and Distribution Engineering, Project Engineer, Senior Engineer/Practice Leader-Land Development and Engineering, Senior Wind Energy Consultant.

Explore Career

Sales Engineers

Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $116,950

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Account Manager, Customer Engagement Manager, Technical Sales Engineer.

Explore Career

Where Graduates are Working

  • Industrial environments
  • Commercial environments
  • Governmental environments
  • Academic environments
  • Aerospace industries
  • Defense industries

Graduate Areas of Study

In addition to engineering, graduates have pursued advanced degrees in:

  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Business

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Aerospace Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Aerospace Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Aerospace Engineering major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Aerospace Engineering can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Aerospace Engineering at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Request Info

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