2027 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Aviation/Airway Management & Operations](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/aviation-airway-management-and-operations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 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 Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the aviation/airway management & operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools
Our analysis ranked Ivy Tech Community College the best value for a degree in aviation/airway management & operations in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aviation/airway management & operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $10,388. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $36,778. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $40,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in aviation/airway management & operations will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #5. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $42,010. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $63,111. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #7 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $27,000. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $40,846. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Lewis University earned the #9 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $24,873 in student loans. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $39,228. Set against $24,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $24,842. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,842 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. 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 aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
