2026 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/aeronautics-aviation-aerospace-science-and-technology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best value for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,837. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $51,198. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes South Dakota State University one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $45,193. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Dakota one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $22,769. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $75,100. That is a strong return on a $22,769 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $44,459. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
