2027 Best Value Air Transportation Master’s Degree Schools
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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
Southeastern Oklahoma State University tops our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools in the United States. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #2 place 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. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the air transportation program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,909 early in their careers. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for air transportation. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $69,976. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Delta State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. 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 $70,632. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Central Missouri placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $79,222. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Lewis University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $24,873 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $39,228 early in their careers. Set against $24,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for air transportation. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,924 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $22,769 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $104,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,769 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #10 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,375. Air Transportation graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $91,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Liberty University came in at #11 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $24,874. Air Transportation graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $50,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,874 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Everglades University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,680. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $42,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Everglades University generally make around $53,684. That is a strong return on a $42,750 median debt. Everglades University admits about 82% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in air transportation this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $47,019. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #14 among the best values for air transportation. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $91,764. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earned the #15 position for value in air transportation this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $91,764. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Other Air Transportation Degree Levels
Explore the best-value air transportation schools at other degree levels:
View All Air Transportation Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
