Does your student want to be a rocket scientist? A major in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering will give you the knowledge needed to design, develop, and test aircrafts, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems. You will learn about all types of flight: airplanes, spacecrafts, helicopters, you name it.

Outside of the best known like Cal Tech, MIT, Stanford and GA Tech, there are many colleges offering exceptionally strong programs that fall under the radar.  Here are 14 hidden gems we suggest students research:

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle is a private university with a strong focus on aviation and aerospace education. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover a broad range of topics, including aircraft design, propulsion systems, and space exploration. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, industry partnerships, and internships.
2. Wichita State University: Wichita State has a long history of excellence in aerospace education, with strong ties to the aviation industry. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover topics such as aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion. Students can gain hands-on experience through design projects, wind tunnel testing, and industry partnerships.
3. University of Alabama in Huntsville: UAH is known for its strong programs in engineering and science, with a particular emphasis on space-related research. The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs in aerospace engineering, with a focus on space systems design and analysis. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, internships, and participation in the NASA-sponsored student rocket program.
4. Clarkson University: Clarkson is a small, private university with a strong focus on engineering and technology. The Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs in aerospace engineering, with a focus on materials and structures, propulsion, and aerodynamics. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, design competitions, and internships with industry partners.
5. California State Polytechnic University: Cal Poly Pomona is part of the California State University system and is known for its strong engineering programs. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover topics such as aircraft design, propulsion systems, and flight dynamics. Students can gain hands-on experience through laboratory courses, design projects, and research opportunities.
6. Iowa State University: Iowa State is a large, public university with a strong engineering program. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover topics such as aircraft design, propulsion, and control systems. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, internships, and design competitions.
7. University of Colorado Boulder: CU Boulder is a public research university with a strong focus on engineering and technology. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover a broad range of topics, including space systems design, propulsion, and aerodynamics. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, internships, and industry partnerships.
8. University of Cincinnati: UC is a public research university with a strong engineering program. The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover topics such as aircraft design, propulsion, and control systems. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, industry partnerships, and design competitions.
9. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: RPI is a private university with a strong focus on engineering and technology. The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs in aerospace engineering, with a focus on materials and structures, propulsion, and aerodynamics. Students can gain hands-on experience through research projects, industry partnerships, and design competitions.
10. San Jose State University: SJSU is part of the California State University system and is known for its strong engineering programs. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs that cover topics such as aircraft design, propulsion systems, and flight dynamics. Students can gain hands-on experience through laboratory courses, design projects