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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the United States
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
For return on investment in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,573 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $70,760. Set against $19,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,300. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $66,477. That is a strong return on a $25,300 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $21,305 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $65,401. That is a strong return on a $21,305 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $79,300. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #5 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. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $111,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #6 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,295 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $78,320. That is a strong return on a $26,295 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. 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. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,950 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $67,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,950 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,002 early in their careers. Set against $24,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,603 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $80,225. That is a strong return on a $21,603 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #11 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. 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. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #12 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, 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 $67,953. Set against $27,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, 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 $71,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $71,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #15 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Morehead State University placed #16 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $41,046. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,951 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $75,859. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #18 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $22,699 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $76,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,699 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
West Virginia University landed the #19 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,242. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $72,210 early in their careers. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #20 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
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. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $85,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of California Davis placed #22 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $19,058 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $71,633. That is a strong return on a $19,058 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Wichita State University landed the #23 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $61,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #24 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $74,375. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #25 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
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:
Other Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering rankings across degree levels:
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
