University of Central Florida Aerospace Engineering: A Comprehensive Overview
The University of Central Florida (UCF) has emerged as a significant player in aerospace engineering education and research. Established in 1963 to support the growing space industry at the nearby Kennedy Space Center, UCF has a rich history of supplying talent to NASA. Today, UCF stands as one of the largest universities in the United States, offering a combination of renowned faculty, cutting-edge research, and a vibrant student life, making it an attractive destination for aspiring aerospace engineers.
Rankings and Recognition
UCF's Aerospace Engineering program has garnered recognition from various ranking organizations. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UCF's graduate programs, including aerospace engineering, among the top in the nation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings reflects our strategic commitment to becoming a national leader in engineering. In the most recent rankings, the aerospace engineering program is ranked No. 47. These rankings consider factors such as peer assessment, recruiter assessment, research activity, and student selectivity. Keep in mind, though, that while rankings can provide a general idea of a program's reputation, they don't necessarily reflect the student experience. UCF has also been consistently ranked by Aviation Week Network as the No.
Academic Programs and Degrees
The Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering major is part of the engineering program at University of Central Florida. The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science offers a wide range of master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates that can enhance your skills and help you stand out in the competitive job market. Our programmatic areas include aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, travel technology and analytics, industrial engineering and management systems, digital forensics, data analytics, cybersecurity, modeling and simulation and more. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will launch a master of science in robotics and autonomous systems program.
Available Degrees
UCF offers a variety of degrees in aerospace engineering, catering to different academic and career goals. These include:
- Bachelor's Degrees: UCF Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor’s Program Diversity In the 2021-2022 academic year, 204 students earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from UCF. About 11% of these graduates were women and the other 89% were men. The majority of bachelor's degree recipients in this major at UCF are white.
- Master's Degrees: During the 2021-2022 academic year, 48 aerospace engineering majors earned their master's degree from UCF. Of these graduates, 88% were men and 13% were women. The majority of master's degree recipients in this major at UCF are white.
- Doctoral Degrees: While pursuing a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering at UCF, Tommy Genova ’20MS ’20PhD worked alongside Professor Kareem Ahmed, one of the world’s foremost researchers in hypersonics and combustion.
Faculty and Research
Faculty members in the Aerospace Engineering department are known to be involved in notable areas of research, including space systems, propulsion, and aerodynamics. UCF's College of Engineering and Computer Science has 11 research centers and institutes, and over 90 dedicated research laboratories. This pioneering engineering research by expert UCF faculty prepares students to thrive in their careers, as does UCF’s longstanding relationships with industry partners who are eager to hire talented students.
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Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Kareem Ahmed received Department of Defense funding that’s establishing UCF as a leader in hypersonics and space propulsion research. Tarek Elgohary, an associate professor of aerospace engineering, is developing algorithms that will accurately track space objects like asteroids and satellites so they don’t collide with spacecraft.
Research Opportunities
Many students at UCF get involved in undergraduate research, which can really enrich your academic experience. The UCF Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of Research and Commercialization offer resources to connect students with research opportunities, including in aerospace engineering. Overall, 13 UCF graduate programs rank among the top 50 in the nation.
Student Experience
The overall student experience in UCF's Aerospace Engineering department is enhanced by various factors, including facilities, faculty, research opportunities, and industry connections. Graduate school at UCF was a challenge but rewarding. The course work was quite informative and helpful in understanding aerospace concepts at a deeper level. From the master’s classes, I learned the soft skills required to do my job.
Industry Connections
UCF has partnerships with many local organizations, so there's a great chance for internships and co-ops, which can be incredibly valuable in the engineering field. Twenty-nine percent of Kennedy Space Center employees and 25% of Lockheed Martin’s Orlando employees earned UCF degrees.
Career Opportunities and Salary Expectations
A Variety of Career Paths The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science offers a wide range of master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates that can enhance your skills and help you stand out in the competitive job market. Our programmatic areas include aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, travel technology and analytics, industrial engineering and management systems, digital forensics, data analytics, cybersecurity, modeling and simulation and more. The median salary of aerospace engineering students who receive their bachelor's degree at UCF is $67,953. Graduates of the master's aerospace engineering program at UCF make a median salary of $97,843.
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Tuition, Fees, and Student Debt
Average Student Debt UCF Undergraduate Tuition and Fees Out-of-state part-time undergraduates at UCF paid an average of $749 per credit hour in 2022-2023. The average full-time tuition and fees for undergraduates are shown in the table below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,478 | $19,810 |
| Fees | $1,890 | $2,657 |
| Books | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Room and Board | $12,070 | $12,070 |
| Other Expenses | $5,230 | $5,230 |
While getting their bachelor's degree at UCF, aerospace engineering students borrow a median amount of $20,061 in student loans.
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