Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft and spacecraft. Our aerospace engineering major combines the principles of math, physics, and engineering to learn how to create cutting-edge technologies for aviation and space exploration.
Program Overview
Unlock the future of space exploration and scientific discovery with our University of Colorado Aerospace Engineering partnership.
Through our new aerospace engineering degree in our Partnership Program with the University of Colorado Boulder, you can now study aeronautics and astronautics, develop next-generation uncrewed aircraft, explore the potential of remote sensing, and create space instruments and satellites at Western Colorado University.
How does this partnership work? You’ll complete your first two years of aerospace engineering school as a Western student, then transfer to the University of Colorado Boulder to finish your final two years in the program—all while spending the four years taking all your courses on Western’s campus. You’ll graduate with a University of Colorado Aerospace Engineering degree while enjoying Western’s small classes, a hands-on learning approach, your professors’ individualized attention, and our advanced facilities in the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering building.
Where Innovation Takes Flight
Explore the possibilities of aerospace engineering through hands-on drone technology, cutting-edge design, and real-world applications.
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Make the most out of your aerospace engineering major.
Personalize and expand the learning experience of your University of Colorado Aerospace Engineering degree by finding involvement outside the classroom. By engaging in the opportunities below, you’ll expand your community and network while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Professional Societies and Student Clubs: Students are encouraged to participate in professional societies and student clubs related to engineering and computer science. Currently, Western offers the following opportunities for engineering students to get involved: ASME, SWE, SAE, ACM, WACM, Mountaineers Without Borders, and Maker’s Society.
- Seminar Series: Each semester, faculty at the Rady School invite industry leaders to discuss their experiences with students. Previous speakers include the Senior Project Manager of Blade Design at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, designers of the largest wind turbine blades in the world; the owner and CEO of Red Canary, a cybersecurity company with multiple Fortune 500 clients; and the co-founder of PACT Outdoors, an outdoor industry manufacturer located in the Gunnison Valley.
- Lambda Learning Center (LLC): The LLC exists to provide academic support for math, computer science, and engineering and to facilitate student learning beyond the classroom. Students, tutors, and professors get together and create a culture centered not only around understanding and mastering STEM-related coursework but also exploring new ideas in STEM and building community.
- Experiential Education Initiatives: The program curriculum is enhanced by numerous project-based, industry-focused experiential education initiatives that set it apart from other programs in the state. Students engage with the local community through project partnerships.
- Social Media: Follow @RadySchoolatWestern on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with the engineering and computer science community at Western.
Reach New Heights with Flight Club
Fuel your passion for aerospace by building and launching rockets and exploring the challenges of space-bound engineering.
Additional Resources
Department Information
Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering
Interim Director
Kevin Terry, Ph.D.Interim Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program
Assistant Director
Laurel FisherAssistant Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program
Rady Building Administrative Assistant
Kelley JonesAdministrative Assistant III
Campus Location
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
