by our College Data Analytics Team
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong air transportation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 253 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools in the United States. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,160. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $15,132 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $46,267 early in their careers. Set against $15,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $88,085 early in their careers. Set against $17,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny York College earned it the #4 place for air transportation. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,573. Air Transportation graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $30,349 early in their careers. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #5 spot this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Utah Valley University placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $56,402. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Polk State College landed the #7 spot for air transportation value this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $50,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #8 for value in air transportation this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Farmingdale State College placed #9 among the best values for air transportation. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $41,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University placed #10 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $26,447. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #11 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $23,781 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $35,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University earned the #12 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon placed #13 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon generally make around $31,376. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon admits about 40% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #14 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $35,669. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,837 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Green River Community College landed the #16 spot for air transportation value this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,992. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,909. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
San Jose State University landed the #18 spot for air transportation value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,421 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $40,112. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University earned the #22 position for value in air transportation this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $33,142. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Memphis came in at #23 for value in air transportation this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #24 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $23,573 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $56,487 early in their careers. Set against $23,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Central Washington University earned the #25 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,025. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s air transportation value ranking:
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Explore the best-value air transportation schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 253 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
