2026 Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 99 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 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 Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat The University Of Texas At Austin this year in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Out of the 99 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #2 spot. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $22,208 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Out of the 99 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #3 spot. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit school based in Daytona Beach, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $26,995. Graduates go on to earn a median of $84,131 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Wichita State University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $22,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,532. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Wichita State University has an acceptance rate of 94%. More on Wichita State University
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $22,750 in debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $102,772 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 14% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $21,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,424 ten years after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $19,000. University Of California Los Angeles alumni report median earnings of $82,511 a decade after entry. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University has an acceptance rate of 55%. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Cornell University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $104,043 ten years out. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. See the full Cornell University profile
Iowa State University placed #10 among the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $26,572. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,466. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $22,699. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,957. That is a strong return on a $22,699 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of Florida came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $19,573 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Set against $19,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $23,951. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #16 among the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $103,470 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $17,724. Graduates go on to earn a median of $143,372 ten years after entry. Set against $17,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #18 among the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $21,574 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Set against $21,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of Kansas came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Kansas
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $20,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,810 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of California San Diego came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $21,305 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $84,943 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,305 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
Auburn University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $20,458. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,337 ten years after entry. Set against $20,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. More on Auburn University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $22,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Located in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,982 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,137. Set against $26,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Florida Institute Of Technology report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school based in Las Cruces, NM. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $24,537. New Mexico State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $39,067 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants. More on New Mexico State University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #27 among the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $25,260. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
The University Of Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $26,787. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants. More on The University Of Alabama
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $25,039. Median earnings reach $69,738 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
University Of Central Florida ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $27,875. Median earnings reach $58,308 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%. Read the full report on University Of Central Florida
University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Huntsville, AL, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,767. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Stanford University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $124,080 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants. See the full Stanford University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $21,603. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $25,853 in debt. Ohio State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $60,409 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
University At Buffalo came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. University At Buffalo is a public school based in Buffalo, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. The median Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program debt is $24,846. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,814 ten years after entry. Set against $24,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo has an acceptance rate of 74%. Read more about University At Buffalo
Utah State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. This public school is set in Logan, UT. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,022. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read more about Utah State University
University Of Southern California landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $21,140 in student loans. Median earnings reach $92,498 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,140 median debt. University Of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%. Read more about University Of Southern California
Case Western Reserve University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $26,410 to complete their Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 36% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Graduates carry a median of $25,243 in student loans. The University Of Tennessee alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Troy, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,051. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University Of Arizona landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering student debt is $23,656. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about University Of Arizona
West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full West Virginia University report
Rice University
Rice University placed #43 among the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Rice University
California State University Long Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
Kent State University At Kent ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Get the full Kent State University At Kent report
University Of Notre Dame landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
University Of South Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about University Of South Alabama
Clarkson University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. Read the full report on Clarkson University
University Of California Irvine ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Wright State University Main Campus placed #50 among the best-value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Wright State University Main Campus profile
Related Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Aerospace And Aeronautical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (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 99 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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