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2026 Best Value Air Transportation Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Air Transportation associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 253 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Air Transportation Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide this year in the United States. Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Air Transportation students take on a median of $20,375 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,131. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Out of the 253 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Fox Valley Technical College landed the #2 spot. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical Air Transportation student debt is $13,319. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Fox Valley Technical College profile
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern Michigan College one of the best values in the United States. Based in Traverse City, MI, Northwestern Michigan College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Northwestern Michigan College Air Transportation students take on a median of $14,803 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,167. That is a strong return on a $14,803 median debt. See the full Northwestern Michigan College profile
A rank of #4 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical Air Transportation student debt is $15,263. Community College Of Allegheny County alumni report median earnings of $39,449 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt. See the full Community College Of Allegheny County profile
Out of the 253 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete their Air Transportation program here. The Community College Of Baltimore County alumni report median earnings of $43,729 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt. More on The Community College Of Baltimore County
Florida Institute Of Technology Online placed #6 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Based in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology Online is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,780. Florida Institute Of Technology Online Air Transportation students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,137 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology Online admits about 40% of applicants. More on Florida Institute Of Technology Online
Utah Valley University placed #7 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Based in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Utah Valley University alumni report median earnings of $55,486 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Middle Georgia State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Macon, GA, Middle Georgia State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Middle Georgia State University Air Transportation students take on a median of $22,700 in debt. Middle Georgia State University alumni report median earnings of $40,863 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%. Read more about Middle Georgia State University
Lincoln Land Community College placed #9 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Set in Springfield, IL, Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. The median Air Transportation program debt is $11,272. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,479. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt. Read more about Lincoln Land Community College
Hinds Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Hinds Community College is a public school based in Raymond, MS. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Median earnings reach $30,774 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt. Read more about Hinds Community College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #11 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete their Air Transportation program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,390. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Based in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,074. The median Air Transportation program debt is $20,375. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach alumni report median earnings of $84,131 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. More on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Liberty University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,874 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. More on Liberty University
Kansas State University placed #14 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Kansas State University alumni report median earnings of $57,262 a decade after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Central Oregon Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Bend, OR, Central Oregon Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,683, compared with $15,246 for out-of-state students. Central Oregon Community College Air Transportation students take on a median of $13,416 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,940 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,416 median debt. More on Central Oregon Community College
University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Anchorage, AK, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. The median Air Transportation program debt is $25,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full University Of Alaska Anchorage profile
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Melbourne, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,137 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants. More on Florida Institute Of Technology
Texas State Technical College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Waco, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Typical Air Transportation student debt is $12,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,916 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,054 median debt. Read more about Texas State Technical College
Letourneau University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Letourneau University is a private not-for-profit school based in Longview, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,160. Letourneau University Air Transportation students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,103. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Letourneau University report
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Flushing, NY, Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,810. Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology Air Transportation students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,973. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology report
Ohio University Southern Campus landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ohio University Southern Campus
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Missouri Southern State University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Missouri Southern State University
Orange Coast College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read the full report on Orange Coast College
Trinidad State Junior College placed #25 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. See the full Trinidad State Junior College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Air Transportation Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of North Dakota ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
Eastern Kentucky University placed #27 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. More on Eastern Kentucky University
Jacksonville University placed #28 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Get the full Jacksonville University report
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of North Texas placed #30 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Read more about University Of North Texas
South Dakota State University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about South Dakota State University
University Of Wyoming ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Read more about University Of Wyoming
Auburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Auburn University report
Dutchess Community College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Dutchess Community College
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Academy College
Academy College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Academy College profile
Trident Technical College placed #37 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Get the full Trident Technical College report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
Germanna Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Read more about Germanna Community College
Indiana State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Indiana State University
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Texas A And M University Central Texas
Yavapai College
Yavapai College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Yavapai College
University Of Memphis placed #43 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Memphis report
Arkansas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Arkansas Tech University
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Blue Ridge Community And Technical College
Everglades University placed #46 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Get the full Everglades University report
International Air And Hospitality Academy placed #47 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Get the full International Air And Hospitality Academy report
Siena Heights University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Air Transportation schools. Read the full report on Siena Heights University
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #49 among the best-value Air Transportation schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh report
Purdue University Global came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Purdue University Global
Related Air Transportation Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Air Transportation Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Air Transportation Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Air Transportation Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Air Transportation Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Air Transportation Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Air Transportation Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Air Transportation Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 253 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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