2026 Best Value Remote Aircraft Pilot Schools
[Remote Aircraft Pilot](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/remote-aircraft-pilot/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for remote aircraft pilot students.
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Finding the Best Value Remote Aircraft Pilot School for You
The right remote aircraft pilot school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Remote Aircraft Pilot Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Remote Aircraft Pilot Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Remote Aircraft Pilot Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in remote aircraft pilot, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Remote Aircraft Pilot Schools
Leading the list is Northwestern Michigan College, our #1 best value for remote aircraft pilot in the United States. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Remote Aircraft Pilot graduates carry a median of $14,803 in student loans. Soon after graduation, remote aircraft pilot degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $49,210. Set against $14,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value remote aircraft pilot schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the remote aircraft pilot program here. Soon after graduation, remote aircraft pilot degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in remote aircraft pilot, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the remote aircraft pilot program here. Early-career remote aircraft pilot graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Aims Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in remote aircraft pilot, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for remote aircraft pilot graduates is $11,199. Soon after graduation, remote aircraft pilot degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in remote aircraft pilot will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #5. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for remote aircraft pilot graduates is $12,886. Early-career remote aircraft pilot graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
South Dakota State University placed #6 among the best values for remote aircraft pilot. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Remote Aircraft Pilot graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Early-career remote aircraft pilot graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of North Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value remote aircraft pilot schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $22,769 to complete the remote aircraft pilot program here. Early-career remote aircraft pilot graduates make about $75,100. That is a strong return on a $22,769 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #8 position for value in remote aircraft pilot this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for remote aircraft pilot graduates is $24,730. Soon after graduation, remote aircraft pilot degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #9 for value in remote aircraft pilot this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Remote Aircraft Pilot graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, remote aircraft pilot degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $71,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
