2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
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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 Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Air Transportation Schools
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for air transportation in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $56,402. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aims Community College earned it the #2 place for air transportation. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #4 place for air transportation. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $43,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Rocky Mountain College earned the #6 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,582. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University came in at #7 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,635. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
