2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value air transportation schools.
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2027 Best Value Air Transportation Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Air Transportation Schools
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among air transportation schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $88,085. That is a strong return on a $17,108 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University Central Texas one of the best values for air transportation. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,160. Air Transportation graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Tulsa Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. 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, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Cochise College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,013. Air Transportation graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center placed #8 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Central Texas College earned the #9 position for value in air transportation this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System earned the #10 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $10,425. Air Transportation graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $22,421. Air Transportation graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Set against $22,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Angelo State University placed #13 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #14 spot for air transportation value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $38,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #15 position for value in air transportation this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $23,573. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $56,487. Set against $23,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $19,924 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $45,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University came in at #17 for value in air transportation this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $35,330. Air Transportation graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Letourneau University came in at #18 for value in air transportation this year. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $38,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #19 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $73,296. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology placed #20 among the best values for air transportation. Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $20,940. Students borrow a median of $19,186 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology generally make around $35,377. That is a strong return on a $19,186 median debt.
Baylor University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
