2027 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for aerospace & aeronautical engineering in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, 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 $81,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,573 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #2. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $91,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,875. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $82,898. Set against $27,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $70,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #6 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,242. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $72,210. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mississippi State University earned the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $69,056. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #8 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $70,383. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #9 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $75,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #10 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,243 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,214 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $77,922 early in their careers. Set against $14,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
The University Of Alabama ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,787. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $73,887. Set against $26,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #14 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $68,607. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #15 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $53,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #16 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $76,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Tuskegee University earned the #17 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the town of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,386. Students borrow a median of $29,356 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $48,198. Set against $29,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tuskegee University admits about 49% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,982. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $84,540 early in their careers. Set against $26,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,995. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $75,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
