2026 Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Schools in the Southeast Region
[Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/airline-commercial-professional-pilot-and-flight-crew/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools.
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Featured Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Schools
Leading the list is Florida State College At Jacksonville, our #1 best value for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew in the Southeast Region. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Ozarka College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew, landing the #2 spot this year. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $11,778. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $8,924. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew, landing the #4 spot this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Polk State College earned it the #5 place for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Students borrow a median of $11,197 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $50,499. Set against $11,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $10,985 in student loans. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $41,084. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #7 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $35,669. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University earned the #8 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $51,585. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Guilford Technical Community College placed #9 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $36,124. That is a strong return on a $20,501 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #10 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of $40,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Henderson State University placed #11 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $23,234. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,131. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $71,183. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College earned the #13 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $13,110. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Charleston Southern University earned the #14 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $27,569. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $46,288. Set against $27,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University placed #15 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $35,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Jacksonville University placed #16 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $45,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
Aviator College Of Aeronautical Science And Technology earned the #17 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Aviator College Of Aeronautical Science And Technology is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,031 in tuition and fees. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Aviator College Of Aeronautical Science And Technology earn a median of $32,339 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 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.
