2026 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Air Traffic Controller](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/air-traffic-controller/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value air traffic controller schools.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the air traffic controller degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools
For return on investment in air traffic controller, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $24,873. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $39,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #3 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the best values for air traffic controller. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
