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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for air transportation students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the air transportation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Dodge City Community College earned the #1 spot for value among air transportation schools in the The Plains States Region. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Wichita Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $11,828. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in air transportation will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $15,866. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for air transportation. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,837 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for air transportation. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for air transportation graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $58,753. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Lake Superior College placed #6 among the best values for air transportation. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Dakota came in at #7 for value in air transportation this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $22,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $75,100. Set against $22,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value air transportation schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $45,193 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #9 spot for air transportation value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $51,198. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #10 position for value in air transportation this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the air transportation program here. Early-career air transportation graduates make about $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Dubuque placed #11 among the best values for air transportation. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Air Transportation graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Air Transportation graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $37,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in air transportation this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the air transportation program here. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $44,459. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
National American University Rapid City earned the #13 position for value in air transportation this year. National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rapid City. In-state tuition and fees average $16,065. Students borrow a median of $38,264 to complete the air transportation program here. Air Transportation graduates of National American University Rapid City earn a median of $47,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.