2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for air transportation students.
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2026 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Warren County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among air transportation schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,250. Air Transportation graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #4. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Beaver County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Community College Of Beaver County generally make around $45,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. 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. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $41,960. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #7 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $27,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
Delaware State University came in at #8 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,670, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Delaware State University generally make around $41,572. That is a strong return on a $26,333 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology landed the #9 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the city of Flushing, Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,810. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $32,591. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 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.