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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$24,554 Avg Student Debt
$70,333 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Badge [Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/aerospace-aeronautical-space-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for aerospace & aeronautical engineering in the Great Lakes Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $88,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, 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 $94,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,951 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $87,496. Set against $23,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #4 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. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $25,853 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $72,062. That is a strong return on a $25,853 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

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6

Western Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $28,021. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $69,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $63,169. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $20,750. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $74,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

9

Kent State University At Kent placed #9 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

University Of Notre Dame landed the #10 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $81,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.

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11

University Of Dayton placed #11 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,033. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

12

Case Western Reserve University placed #12 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,410. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $83,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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