2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Southeast Region
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for air transportation students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked Florida State College At Jacksonville the best value for a degree in air transportation in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Hinds Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #3 place for air transportation. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarka College earned it the #4 place for air transportation. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,985 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,084. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Polk State College placed #7 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,694, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,197 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $50,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #8 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #9 spot for air transportation value this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mountwest Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in air transportation this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington, Mountwest Community And Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,938, while out-of-state students pay about $12,304. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Mountwest Community And Technical College generally make around $37,004. That is a strong return on a $11,763 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University placed #11 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $20,375. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $35,669. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $23,781 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $35,625. That is a strong return on a $23,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earned the #13 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,882, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $37,459. That is a strong return on a $18,883 median debt.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #14 spot for air transportation value this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $22,700. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,028. That is a strong return on a $22,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Memphis came in at #15 for value in air transportation this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $26,315. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,992. Air Transportation graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #17 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Delta State University came in at #18 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. 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 $51,585. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,110 median debt.
Guilford Technical Community College placed #20 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $36,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide placed #21 among the best values for air transportation. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $71,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University earned the #22 position for value in air transportation this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,569 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $46,288. Set against $27,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Averett University came in at #23 for value in air transportation this year. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Auburn University landed the #24 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $35,856. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Henderson State University earn a median of $40,131 early in their careers. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Air Transportation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for air transportation this year:
Narrow Air Transportation Schools by State
More Air Transportation Rankings
View All Air Transportation Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
