2027 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Associate’s Degree Schools

[General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/aeronautics-aviation-aerospace-science-and-technology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology students.
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2027 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools
Leading the list is Hinds Community College, our #1 best value for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology in the United States. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $14,803 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,803 median debt.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $12,525. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Polk State College earned it the #4 place for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $11,197 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $50,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lane Community College placed #6 among the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,373 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $60,759. That is a strong return on a $18,373 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #7 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Mountwest Community And Technical College came in at #8 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Mountwest Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $4,938 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,304 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $11,763. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Mountwest Community And Technical College earn a median of $37,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,763 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #9 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $18,038. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #10 spot for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology value this year. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $22,700. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $41,028. Set against $22,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $39,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College earned the #12 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Broward College earned the #13 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $13,110. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $51,328. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #14 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $40,796 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $51,198. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #16 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $66,957. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $47,019. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earned the #19 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $66,957. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Other General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools at other degree levels:
View All General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology 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 · 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.