[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/aerospace-aeronautical-space-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools.
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Finding the Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering School for You
Where you study aerospace & aeronautical engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,573 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $81,851 early in their careers. Set against $19,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $111,760. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #3 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,300 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $66,477 early in their careers. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,305. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $65,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #6 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,750. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $91,589 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #7 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,295. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,320. That is a strong return on a $26,295 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $93,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,950 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $67,425. Set against $18,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,537 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,537 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #11 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $82,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #12 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $88,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #14 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,603 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $94,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $90,170 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #16 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,808. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Morehead State University earned the #17 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #18 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $87,496. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston earned the #19 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #20 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,699 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $76,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #21 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
West Virginia University placed #22 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $72,210. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #23 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $78,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #24 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $96,072. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,058. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $71,633 early in their careers. Set against $19,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year:
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Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/aerospace-aeronautical-space-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
