2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in Illinois
[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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Air Transportation Schools
Oakton Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Illinois College earned it the #3 place for air transportation. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $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 Harper College, which ranked #4. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for air transportation. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $42,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
More Air Transportation Rankings
View All Air Transportation Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 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.
