2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/aerospace-aeronautical-space-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri University Of Science And Technology the best value for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $76,183. Set against $22,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $75,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,250. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $68,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,000. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $71,244 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $26,572 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $75,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #6 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $92,802. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,421 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $75,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
