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2026 Best Value Flight Instructor Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Flight Instructor](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/flight-instructor/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong flight instructor education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value flight instructor schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Flight Instructor Schools
• Other Degree Levels

2026 Best Value Flight Instructor Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the flight instructor degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Flight Instructor Schools

1

Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR

$8,244 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,234 Avg Student Debt

$43,459 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Henderson State University the best value for a degree in flight instructor in the United States. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Flight Instructor graduates carry a median of $23,234 in student loans. Early-career flight instructor graduates make about $40,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

$10,951 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,769 Avg Student Debt

$63,552 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of North Dakota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in flight instructor, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for flight instructor graduates is $22,769. Flight Instructor graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $46,193 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

Other Flight Instructor Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Flight Instructor rankings across degree levels:

View All Flight Instructor Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.