2027 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 67 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for aerospace & aeronautical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $19,573. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $70,760 early in their careers. Set against $19,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #2. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,750. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $79,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,603. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $80,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,603 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $71,068 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $21,305 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $65,401 early in their careers. Set against $21,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #6 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,295. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #7 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,300 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $66,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,300 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,875. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $67,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #9 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, 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 $76,881 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #10 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $111,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $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. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #13 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,859. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $71,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #16 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $18,950. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,425. Set against $18,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #17 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $71,633. Set against $19,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #18 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,260. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $78,005. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. 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. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $71,712. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #20 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $61,526. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Diego State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $74,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #22 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,500. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $78,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #24 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,500. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $85,509. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #25 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $72,607. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year:
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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
