2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value air transportation schools.
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Featured Air Transportation Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the air transportation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Air Transportation Schools
Our analysis ranked Northwestern Michigan College the best value for a degree in air transportation in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $14,803 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $37,988. That is a strong return on a $14,803 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #4 spot this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,168. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Illinois College earned it the #5 place for air transportation. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,388. Air Transportation graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #6 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $19,525. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University came in at #7 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $14,506. Air Transportation graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $57,583 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana State University landed the #9 spot for air transportation value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the air transportation program here. 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. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #10 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $42,010. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in air transportation this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $40,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,842 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $24,842 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #13 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,873. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $39,228. Set against $24,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #14 for value in air transportation this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Air Transportation graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #15 position for value in air transportation this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $24,730 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for air transportation value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $33,172. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
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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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
