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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$23,737 Avg Student Debt
$63,301 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Badge [Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/aerospace-aeronautical-space-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

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

1

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At San Antonio, our #1 best value for aerospace & aeronautical engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $23,312. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $24,537. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $68,002. That is a strong return on a $24,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,808. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $78,005. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

6

University Of Arizona placed #6 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $57,456. That is a strong return on a $23,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,843. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,843 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $72,607. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $81,022. Set against $22,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

10

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #10 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,208 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $85,388 early in their careers. Set against $22,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

11

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #11 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $75,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.

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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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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