2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/aerospace-aeronautical-space-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 99 schools to find the best return on investment for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,573 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $92,942. That is a strong return on a $19,573 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $111,760. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $21,305 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $65,401. Set against $21,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,300. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $66,477. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #5. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $103,878. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $110,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,875. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $97,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,000. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $109,272 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $104,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #11 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,603 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $108,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $85,903 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston landed the #13 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,255. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $23,951. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $99,132. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Utah State University earned the #15 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #16 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $78,631. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $106,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #18 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $128,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Mississippi State University earned the #19 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $17,625. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $69,056 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #20 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,005. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #21 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,574 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $70,820. Set against $21,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
San Diego State University came in at #22 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $74,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #23 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $23,656 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $57,456. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #24 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $68,495. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
California Institute Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s aerospace & aeronautical engineering value ranking:
Other Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Rankings >
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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
