Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

9 Best Universities in California for Aerospace

If you are looking to study Aerospace in California, our index highlights the top 9 domain-leading institutions. Our methodology evaluated 2.56M subject-specific papers and 132.97M citations to find the strongest faculties. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Aerospace California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

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Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Aerospace Engineering

#1 in United States #1 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Aerospace Engineering

#5 in United States #5 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Aerospace Engineering

#6 in United States #6 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Aerospace Engineering

#10 in United States #10 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Aerospace Engineering

#21 in United States #23 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Aerospace Engineering

#29 in United States #31 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

7

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Aerospace Engineering

#31 in United States #33 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

8

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Aerospace Engineering

#33 in United States #36 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

9

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Aerospace Engineering

#40 in United States #46 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded