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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Air Transportation Master’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
$23,680 Avg Student Debt
$57,574 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Air Transportation Master's Degree Badge [Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 253 schools to find the best return on investment for air transportation students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Air Transportation Schools

1

Southeastern Oklahoma State University tops our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools in the United States. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $18,660. Air Transportation graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for air transportation. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,992. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $43,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

3
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $69,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

Delta State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

5

University Of Central Missouri came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,500. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $79,222. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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6

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,924 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

7
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #7 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $39,228. That is a strong return on a $24,873 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

8

University Of North Dakota came in at #8 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,769 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $104,007 early in their careers. Set against $22,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

9

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #9 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,375. Air Transportation graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $91,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

10
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $24,874 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $50,629. Set against $24,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

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11
Everglades University crest
Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL

Everglades University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,680. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $42,750 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $53,684. That is a strong return on a $42,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

12

Florida Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for air transportation. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $47,019. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.

13

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #13 spot for air transportation value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $91,764. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

Other Air Transportation Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Air Transportation rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Air Transportation
Associate's Degrees in Air Transportation
Bachelor's Degrees in Air Transportation
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View All Air Transportation Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 253 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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