2027 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Aviation/Airway Management & Operations](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/aviation-airway-management-and-operations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for aviation/airway management & operations students.
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2027 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aviation/airway management & operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools
For return on investment in aviation/airway management & operations, no school beat Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $88,085 early in their careers. Set against $17,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $23,160. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aviation/airway management & operations, landing the #3 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $23,500. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $56,402. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.
Cuny York College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aviation/airway management & operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $30,349. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in aviation/airway management & operations will find it at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which ranked #5. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $18,660. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #6 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Polk State College earned the #7 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $11,197. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $50,499. Set against $11,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global earned the #8 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #9 spot for aviation/airway management & operations value this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $20,375. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $35,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College came in at #10 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $41,960. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #11 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $44,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #12 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,909. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #13 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $22,700 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $41,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Indiana State University came in at #14 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $40,112. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earned the #15 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon generally make around $31,376. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. 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 aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $21,250. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Green River Community College earned the #17 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Delta State University earned the #18 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $32,537. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #19 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,283. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #20 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $33,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Delaware State University placed #21 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,670, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $26,333 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $41,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,333 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College landed the #23 spot for aviation/airway management & operations value this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #24 for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $59,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Lewis University landed the #25 spot for aviation/airway management & operations value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $39,228. Set against $24,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in aviation/airway management & operations:
Other Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations rankings across degree levels:
View All Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
