2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in Illinois
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong air transportation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in Illinois
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
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #1 spot for value among air transportation schools in Illinois. 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 air transportation graduates is $10,388. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Parkland College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,168. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,750. Air Transportation graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $42,010 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lewis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,873. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $39,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
More Air Transportation Rankings
View All Air Transportation Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
