2026 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools in the Southeast Region
[Aviation/Airway Management & Operations](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/aviation-airway-management-and-operations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for aviation/airway management & operations students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aviation/airway management & operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools
Florida State College At Jacksonville tops our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools in the Southeast Region. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in aviation/airway management & operations will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Polk State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $11,197. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $50,499. Set against $11,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in aviation/airway management & operations will find it at Hinds Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $35,669. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #6 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Delta State University placed #7 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $51,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University placed #8 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $22,700. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $41,028 early in their careers. Set against $22,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #9 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. 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. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $20,375. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $71,183 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
Broward College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $51,328. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn University came in at #11 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $21,875. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $35,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University came in at #12 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $27,569 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $46,288. Set against $27,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology Online landed the #13 spot for aviation/airway management & operations value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology Online is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $47,019. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology Online admits about 40% of applicants.
Jacksonville University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $45,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $24,874 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $50,629. Set against $24,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $47,019. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Lynn University placed #17 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,480. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $50,569. That is a strong return on a $21,391 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Narrow Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools by State
More Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Rankings
View All Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Rankings >
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
