Aeronautics and astronautics programs at the US Air Force Academy, Colo., were ranked best in the nation Tuesday in the US News & World Report Best Colleges 2017. As a whole, the Academy was ranked as the third best national liberal arts college and seventh best undergraduate engineering program, according to a press release. US News and World Report generates the rankings using a formula that considers, among other factors, assessment from peer institutions, graduation rate, faculty resources, retention, and alumni giving. Other Academy programs that were ranked include electrical/electronic/communications (fourth), mechanical engineering (seventh), and business (48th).
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.