by our College Data Analytics Team
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Oakton Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,525. Air Transportation graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $14,803 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $11,889. Air Transportation graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Parkland College one of the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,168. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global came in at #6 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $36,778. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #7 spot for air transportation value this year. 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. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University came in at #8 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,963. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Indiana State University came in at #10 for value in air transportation this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for air transportation value 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. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $42,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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 air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $57,583. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #13 for value in air transportation this year. 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. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Air Transportation graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #14 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,846. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #15 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,873. Air Transportation graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $39,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for air transportation value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $24,842 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation 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. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #17 for value in air transportation this year. 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, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $40,876. Set against $24,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $25,000. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.