2027 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools
[Air Traffic Controller](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/air-traffic-controller/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong air traffic controller education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value air traffic controller schools.
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Finding the Best Value Air Traffic Controller School for You
The air traffic controller program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air traffic controller, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in air traffic controller in the United States. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Tulsa Community College one of the best values for air traffic controller. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air traffic controller, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in air traffic controller will find it at Sacramento City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Beaver County earned it the #5 place for air traffic controller. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Community College Of Beaver County generally make around $45,028. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College earned the #7 position for value in air traffic controller this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #8 for value in air traffic controller this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #9 position for value in air traffic controller this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. 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 air traffic controller graduates is $18,038. Air Traffic Controller graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Middle Georgia State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Students borrow a median of $22,700 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $41,028. Set against $22,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Green River Community College came in at #11 for value in air traffic controller this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #12 spot for air traffic controller value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $40,796. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Lewis University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $39,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #14 among the best values for air traffic controller. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $22,769. Air Traffic Controller graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $75,100 early in their careers. Set against $22,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #15 among the best values for air traffic controller. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $24,730. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Letourneau University earned the #16 position for value in air traffic controller this year. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,160. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $27,000. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $53,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology placed #17 among the best values for air traffic controller. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $47,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #18 for value in air traffic controller this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $73,296. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $44,074. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $71,183. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Lynn University landed the #20 spot for air traffic controller value this year. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $44,480. Students borrow a median of $21,391 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $50,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
