2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,573 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $81,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #2 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $91,589. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $82,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Morehead State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,896. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $41,046. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #5 place for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $27,242. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $72,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,242 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #6 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,574 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #7 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. 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. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $25,243 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,243 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #9 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $70,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #10 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $75,483. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The University Of Alabama earned the #11 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,787 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $73,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #12 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #13 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $76,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $20,458. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $68,607. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #15 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $54,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $26,982. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $84,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Miami placed #17 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #18 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,074 in tuition and fees. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of $75,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach admits about 65% of applicants.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
