2026 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/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for aviation/airway management & operations students.
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2026 Best Value Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among aviation/airway management & operations schools in the Great Lakes Region. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Southwestern Illinois College one of the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $10,388. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. 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. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in aviation/airway management & operations will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $42,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $40,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for aviation/airway management & operations value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Aviation/airway Management & Operations graduates carry a median of $24,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #8 position for value in aviation/airway management & operations this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $24,873. Early-career aviation/airway management & operations graduates make about $39,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the aviation/airway management & operations program here. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #10 among the best values for aviation/airway management & operations. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for aviation/airway management & operations graduates is $24,730. Soon after graduation, aviation/airway management & operations degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value aviation/airway management & operations schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
