If you want to be an aerospace engineer, then you'll need a degree.

However, if you're going to get an aerospace engineering degree, then you'll need to know some of the top schools that offer the degree.

Individuals who graduate with an aerospace engineering degree often make more than typical graduates by 45 percent.

While considering some of the best aerospace engineering schools, it's essential to evaluate whether the school meets your needs.

Consider schools that have the career coaching, mental health counseling, health services and academic tutoring services you need.

A quick search on the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education website will bring up thousands of schools that have an engineering or engineering-related degree program.

Here are three top-tier aerospace programs where you can pursue your undergraduate degree:

• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• University of California - Los Angeles