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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

64 Colleges in the United States
$23,447 Avg Student Debt
$73,259 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students.

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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,573. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $70,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $66,477. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $21,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

4

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $79,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

5
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $111,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #6 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,295. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $78,320 early in their careers. Set against $26,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $76,881. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

8

University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $18,950. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,425. Set against $18,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

9

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $24,537. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $68,002. That is a strong return on a $24,537 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #10 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,603. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $80,225 early in their careers. Set against $21,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

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11

San Jose State University landed the #11 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

12

University Of Central Florida placed #12 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,875. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $67,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

13
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $71,989 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

14

Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $71,712. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #15 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $71,068. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

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Morehead State University earned the #16 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $41,046. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.

17

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #17 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $75,859. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

18

Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #18 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,699. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $76,183. That is a strong return on a $22,699 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

West Virginia University landed the #19 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.

20

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $78,631. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

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21

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #21 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $85,509. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

22

University Of California Davis came in at #22 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $19,058 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $71,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

23

Wichita State University placed #23 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $61,526. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

24

San Diego State University landed the #24 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $74,375. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

25

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s aerospace & aeronautical engineering value ranking:

26
27
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
28
29
30
31
32
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering
Master's Degrees in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering
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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 64 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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