2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #1 spot for value among aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,631. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $128,330 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

3

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $24,846. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $69,716. Set against $24,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

4

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,674. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $69,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clarkson University earned it the #5 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,398. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $71,783. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

6

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University landed the #6 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $102,439. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

7

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

8

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #8 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $73,213. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.

9

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #9 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $71,417. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.