2026 Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Associate’s Degree Schools
[Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/airline-commercial-professional-pilot-and-flight-crew/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 130 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools.
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2026 Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools in the United States. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
A rank of #3 makes Orange Coast College one of the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $8,978. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #4. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #6 spot for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew value this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $14,803 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College earned the #7 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Miami Dade College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #9 for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Tulsa Community College earned the #11 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $15,789. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Beaver County placed #12 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $13,000. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $45,028. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #13 for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $56,402. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #14 for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Polk State College earned the #15 position for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Students borrow a median of $11,197 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $50,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #16 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lane Community College landed the #17 spot for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew value this year. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,202, with out-of-state students paying around $13,078. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Lane Community College generally make around $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #18 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,191 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College placed #19 among the best values for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew program here. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew 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.
Klamath Community College came in at #20 for value in airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew this year. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,965, compared with $8,025 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates is $14,644. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $24,370. That is a strong return on a $14,644 median debt.
Lone Star College System ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University landed the #22 spot for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew value this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Portland Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Early-career airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew graduates make about $49,580. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University landed the #24 spot for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Central Oregon Community College landed the #25 spot for airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew value this year. Located in the city of Bend, Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,683, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Airline/commercial/professional Pilot & Flight Crew graduates carry a median of $13,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew degree recipients from Central Oregon Community College generally make around $48,594. Set against $13,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s airline/commercial/professional pilot & flight crew value ranking:
Other Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew rankings across degree levels:
View All Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot & Flight Crew Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 130 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.
