2026 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI

For return on investment in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, no school beat Northwestern Michigan College this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $14,803. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,803 median debt.

2

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

3

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Batavia, OH

Students looking for strong value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology will find it at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $19,525 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. Set against $19,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $57,583 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

5

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

A rank of #5 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $40,112 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

6

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $20,750. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $42,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $24,842. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $24,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

8

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #8 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $39,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University landed the #9 spot for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $34,872. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

10

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #10 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

11

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $33,172. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.