2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Southwest 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 32 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 Southwest 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 Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in air transportation in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $88,085. That is a strong return on a $17,108 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #6 position for value in air transportation this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. 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. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Lone Star College System earned the #7 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College came in at #8 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,054. Air Transportation graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $35,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Technology Center ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $32,406. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #10 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for air transportation. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,421 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,421 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $23,573 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $56,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics placed #13 among the best values for air transportation. Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $31,457 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics earn a median of $79,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $19,924 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #15 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $38,652. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas Southern University landed the #16 spot for air transportation value this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $35,330. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,890. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Letourneau University placed #17 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Letourneau University generally make around $38,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology landed the #18 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,186 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology earn a median of $35,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #19 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $73,296. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.
Baylor University placed #20 among the best values for air transportation. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,928. Air Transportation graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
