by our College Data Analytics Team
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for air transportation students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Cochise College the best value for a degree in air transportation in Arizona. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $12,013. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Chandler Gilbert Community College one of the best values for air transportation. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $22,421. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $44,481. That is a strong return on a $22,421 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $22,000. 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.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.