[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 127 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
Finding the Best Value Air Transportation School for You
The right air transportation school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Air Transportation Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Air Transportation Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among air transportation schools in the United States. 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. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $88,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for air transportation. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $15,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $46,267. Set against $15,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $8,098. Air Transportation graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,160. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cypress College earned it the #5 place for air transportation. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Oakton Community College placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $7,750. Air Transportation graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #7 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Dodge City Community College came in at #8 for value in air transportation this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
Miami Dade College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation 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.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #10 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #11 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,500. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $56,402. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College came in at #12 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,250. Air Transportation graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $14,803 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #14 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College landed the #16 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $30,349. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College placed #17 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College landed the #18 spot for air transportation value this year. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,985. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Madisonville Community College generally make around $41,084. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt.
Fullerton College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Ozarka College landed the #20 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Students borrow a median of $11,778 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $48,116. That is a strong return on a $11,778 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #21 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College came in at #22 for value in air transportation this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #23 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #24 for value in air transportation this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #25 among the best values for air transportation. 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. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Air Transportation Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s air transportation value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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).
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) 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.
