2027 Best Value Air Transportation Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong air transportation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the air transportation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Air Transportation Schools
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. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $17,108 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $88,085. Set against $17,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $15,132. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $46,267. Set against $15,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #3. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #4 place for air transportation. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,500. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $56,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny York College one of the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $30,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #6 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Southern Utah University landed the #7 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Polk State College placed #8 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $11,197. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $50,499. Set against $11,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global earned the #9 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $36,778. Air Transportation graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Elizabeth City State University earned the #10 position for value in air transportation this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $26,992. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College earned the #11 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,960. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #12 position for value in air transportation this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,375. Soon after graduation, air transportation 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.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #13 for value in air transportation this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $23,781 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $35,625. Set against $23,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University placed #14 among the best values for air transportation. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $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 landed the #15 spot for air transportation value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon generally make around $31,376. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Memphis earned the #16 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University placed #17 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,700 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,028. That is a strong return on a $22,700 median debt. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #18 position for value in air transportation this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #19 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $44,063. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #20 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $42,837. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #21 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $43,909. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,250. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Green River Community College came in at #23 for value in air transportation this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Delta State University landed the #24 spot for air transportation value this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $32,537. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #25 for value in air transportation this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,421 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Air Transportation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for air transportation this year:
Other Air Transportation Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Air Transportation rankings across degree levels:
View All Air Transportation Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
