Aerospace Engineering: How does KU compare with other leading programs?

[hgotf133]

I’m curious to hear from any parents of and/or students who chose to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kansas/KU or selected another school after seriously considering the University of Kansas/KU.

My son and I have the most info on Purdue, UIUC, Iowa State, University of Wisconsin, GA Tech, Penn State after visiting their facilities. He’s most interested in aero > astro/space and wants to do hypersonics-related design/test/research so is mostly looking at research-heavy programs.

We were most impressed by the faculty, facilities, curriculum, and approach at KU, but it barely is discussed on College Confidential and doesn’t seem to show up high on the rankings. Here are a few things that stood out to us, but would welcome informed perspectives in case we are under a false impression vs other schools (as he’s on the waitlist of several others):

• State of the art research facilities: 3 wind tunnels, water tunnel, anechoic chamber and more Facilities | Aerospace Engineering

• Hands-on AE-related curriculum/Projects from first year: several other schools have students working on paper/balloon-flying structures, but KU students are (supposedly) building/test flying at the local airport their first-year creations. Can anyone vouch for this distinction?

• Majority AE-related course credits (12/129 are KU core/general ed vs some others that are 45/130 general ed)

• Impressive AIAA DBF Competition track record: “Over the last four decades, KU students have won more first-, second- and third-place aerospace design awards in the AIAA competition than any other university in the world.” (we saw the trophies/designs on display + source: KU aerospace engineering claims top honors in international competitions | The University of Kansas)

• ~100% placement rate at top employers like many of the top AE universities (Why Aerospace Engineering KU | Aerospace Engineering)

So why isn’t KU frequently listed/respected as a top AE university among the likes of GA Tech, Purdue, UIUC, CU Boulder, etc?

[tsbna44]

To answer your last question, it’s a good question. And it has low cost. I’ve read about Wichita State and Aero but rarely KU.

The answer is likely the four you mentioned at the end are ranked high by US News and likely have higher level students statistically …thus also having lower acceptance rates.

If you are impressed, don’t let the lack of conversation dissuade you. As long as it’s ABET accredited, and it is, you’ll be fine. Sounds like you already dug into placement data and 100% success (assuming as engineers) is the validation you need.

It’ll be a fine safety that likely will give you a similar outcome to others.

Best of luck if your student goes that direction.

[eyemgh]

@hgotf133

So why isn’t KU frequently listed/respected as a top AE university among the likes of GA Tech, Purdue, UIUC, CU Boulder, etc?

Because the rankings for engineering are a self perpetuating charade. They are based on one metric, institutional reputation. Surveys are completed by underlings and have a return rate under 50%.

The differences in engineering, especially in aerospace are at the margins, what’s better, in the eyes of the beholder. If that’s where he feels the best, that’s where he should go.