- Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering are the courses that you must opt to get into aircraft and space industry.
- Both the branches of engineering offer a varied range of jobs in the government as well as private sector.

Do you aspire to work in organisations like NASA and ISRO? Then it is important to understand the branches of engineering that you can opt for graduation in order to work with the top space organisations in the world. Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering are the two programmes that can lead you closer to your goals.
Both aeronautical engineering and aerospace engg are emerging fields of engineering education in India. However, one can pursue aeronautical engineering and pursue higher education in the same field from universities overseas. Aeronautical engineers are in demand in some of the most reputed space centres in the world such as NASA.
Aerospace engineering also offers bright career opportunities. Similar to aspiring aeronautical engineers, students looking for aerospace engg courses can look for colleges in India as well as overseas. Find out the difference between the two branches below.
Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering Jobs and Scope:
Features | Aerospace Engineering | Aeronautical Engineering |
Duration | 4 year | 4 year |
About the Course | In this branch of engineering, students learn about professionals design, building, testing and maintenance of civil aircraft, missiles, space shuttles, rockets, space stations and other such units. Aerospace is a broad field and also comprises subjects that are taught under the aeronautical engineering course. | Aeronautical engineering is a field of Aerospace Engineering. It can also be understood as a specialisation of in the field of aerospace. This field of engineering comprises the study of designing and building aircraft such as aeroplanes and helicopters. |
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Fees | Fees of aerospace engineering course will vary from Rs. 5 to 12 lakh. | Fees of this course is more or less the same. It will vary from Rs. 6 to 12 lakh depending on the type of institute offering the course. |
Scope in India | Aerospace Engineers have the option of working in government as well as private organisations. Some of the departments where aerospace engineers can work are Air Force, Corporate Research Companies, Airlines, Helicopter Companies, Aviation Companies, Defence Ministry, Aircraft manufacturing, government owned air services, etc. | Although there are a lot of opportunities for Aeronautical engineering graduates, the opportunities in the core profile are better outside India. Since there are better space centres outside India, the scope of this field is much better once you have pursued Masters from universities abroad. However, there are a few government organisations that offer high paying jobs in this field. |
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Job and Salary | Salary packages depend on the colleges that a student has graduated from. However, candidates can expect a starting package of up to Rs. 5 lakh. Students graduating from IITs can also get a package of up to Rs. 11 lakhs. | An aeronautical engineer can expect a salary between Rs. 6 to 11 lakh, depending on the college of graduation. An aeronautical earns up to $ 107,700 per year in US. |
Also Read:Top 20 Architecture Colleges in India: Fees, Entrance Exam and Number of Seats
Which branch is better?
Both Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering are good branches. You should choose the branch depending on the career path you foresee for yourself. If you want to work in the aircraft building industry then aerospace engineering is the right course for you. However, if you look forward to work in the space industry, then aeronautical engineering is the right branch for you.
You can also choose aeronautical specialisation after pursuing B.Tech in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. Make sure that you take admission in good colleges while choosing these streams of engineering in order to ensure jobs.
Also Read:Coaching vs Self Study – Choose the Right Option to Crack an Entrance Exam!
You can also check colleges offering Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering colleges at collegedekho.com.
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