2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,573. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $81,851. That is a strong return on a $19,573 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $10,492. 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.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,300. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $66,477. That is a strong return on a $25,300 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,305. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $65,401. That is a strong return on a $21,305 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #5 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #6 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. 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 $91,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

7

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #7 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,295 in student loans. 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.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $93,709. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,950 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,425. That is a strong return on a $18,950 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

10

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $24,537. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

11

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $27,875 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $82,898. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #13 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $88,159. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,603. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $94,124. That is a strong return on a $21,603 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

15

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #15 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $90,170. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

16

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,500. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $78,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,896. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.

18

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,951 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $87,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

20

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #20 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,699 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $76,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

21

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #21 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $16,191. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $72,210. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

23

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #23 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. 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. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,631. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

24

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #24 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. 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. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $96,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #25 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,058. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $71,633. Set against $19,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.