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2026 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in Illinois

[General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/aeronautics-aviation-aerospace-science-and-technology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools

1

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

$13,334 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,750 Avg Student Debt

$53,390 Median Earnings (10yr)

Southern Illinois University Carbondale tops our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools in Illinois. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

2

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

$39,200 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,873 Avg Student Debt

$66,099 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Lewis University one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,873 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $39,228. That is a strong return on a $24,873 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

View All General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.