by our College Data Analytics Team
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value air transportation schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in air transportation, no school beat Dodge City Community College this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for air transportation. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $58,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place for air transportation. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
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South Dakota State University earned the #6 position for value in air transportation this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,989. Air Transportation graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Dakota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,769 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $75,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
National American University Rapid City earned the #9 position for value in air transportation this year. National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rapid City. In-state tuition and fees average $16,065. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $38,264 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of National American University Rapid City earn a median of $47,873 early in their careers. Set against $38,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Dubuque came in at #10 for value in air transportation this year. University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $26,250. Air Transportation graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $37,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $44,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
