2027 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology students.
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2027 Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science & Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology in the Great Lakes Region. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. 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 #2 makes Northwestern Michigan College one of the best values for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $14,803. 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.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $40,112. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $42,010 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $21,250. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $57,583. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #6 spot for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. 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 $34,872. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $24,873 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $39,228. That is a strong return on a $24,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,842 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #9 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,730 to complete the general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology program here. Early-career general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates make about $40,876. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Aeronautics/aviation/aerospace Science & Technology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science & technology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $33,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
