2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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
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 University Of Florida the best value for a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $92,942. 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 Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $111,760 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 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. 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. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $65,401. That is a strong return on a $21,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,300. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $66,477. That is a strong return on a $25,300 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $12,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, 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 $97,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
San Jose State University placed #8 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $104,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $21,603. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $108,023. That is a strong return on a $21,603 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $85,903. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
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. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,951 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $99,132. Set against $23,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University landed the #15 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #16 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $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 came in at #17 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $106,635. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #18 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $128,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Mississippi State University placed #19 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $69,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #20 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $78,005 early in their careers. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #21 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,574 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $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. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $74,375. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
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. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $68,495. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology placed #25 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
