by our College Data Analytics Team
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong air transportation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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.
BS in Operations Management - Logistics & Transportation
Enhance your Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a concentration in Logistics and Transportation at Southern New Hampshire University.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Ozarks Technical Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value air transportation schools in Missouri. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $58,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for air transportation. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $44,459. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
