The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that overall employment of aerospace engineers, who often become astronauts, is expected to increase over the next several years. Those who wish to launch careers in this field may want to consider enrolling at Purdue University, as the school has produced 22 astronauts since it was founded, according to the institution.Purdue established the first flight training program for college credit, the first four-year bachelor's degree in aviation and the first university airport (Purdue University Airport). In the mid-20th century, the school's aviation program expanded to encompass advanced spaceflight technology, giving rise to Purdue's nickname, Cradle of Astronauts.
The school has graduated such influential astronauts as Gus Grissom - who was one of the original Mercury Seven, Neil Armstrong - who was the first person to walk on the moon and Eugene Cernan - who was the last person to walk on the moon.
Over the past several years, Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics has awarded more aerospace engineering degrees than any other institution in the country, issuing 6 percent of all undergraduate degrees and 7 percent of all Ph.D. degrees.
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