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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Tulsa Community College, our #1 best value for air transportation in Oklahoma. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Tulsa Technology Center one of the best values for air transportation. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for air transportation. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned it the #4 place for air transportation. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $38,652. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #5 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Located in the city of Tulsa, Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,940. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $19,186 in student loans. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $35,377. That is a strong return on a $19,186 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.