2026 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 105 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology students.
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2026 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
For return on investment in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, no school beat Northwestern Michigan College this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Polk State College one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Located in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $11,197. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $50,499. That is a strong return on a $11,197 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned it the #5 place for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $39,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University placed #6 among the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. 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, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College landed the #7 spot for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $21,000. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $39,956 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #9 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,198 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #10 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology 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. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $66,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Montana State University earned the #11 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $13,110. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. That is a strong return on a $13,110 median debt.
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $69,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #14 spot for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $18,750. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of $66,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Other General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology rankings across degree levels:
View All General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
