Air Transportation
Offered at 314 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 82 | — | — | $10,500 |
| Associate | 96 | $43,040 | $84,535 | $12,781 |
| Bachelor's | 103 | $53,749 | $90,799 | $22,466 |
| Master's | 21 | $96,169 | $111,450 | — |
| Doctoral | 6 | — | — | — |
| Graduate certificate | 6 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
One year after finishing, a typical associate program in this field reports median earnings of $43,040, versus $53,749 for a typical bachelor's program.
Highest-earning certificate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guilford Technical Community College | NC | — | $46,679 | — |
| 2 | Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology | FL | $35,683 | — | $12,000 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning associate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | OK | $37,011 | $108,656 | $20,000 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | IL | $45,287 | $107,811 | $20,250 |
| 3 | Northwestern Michigan College | MI | — | $103,566 | $13,000 |
| 4 | Southern Utah University | UT | — | $103,523 | — |
| 5 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | FL | $70,512 | $86,446 | $12,562 |
| 6 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | FL | $70,512 | $86,446 | $12,562 |
| 7 | Central Oregon Community College | OR | — | $84,535 | $12,500 |
| 8 | Miami Dade College | FL | $39,376 | $73,676 | — |
| 9 | Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology | NY | — | $72,698 | — |
| 10 | Aims Community College | CO | — | $70,352 | — |
| 11 | Community College of Baltimore County | MD | — | $65,229 | — |
| 12 | Mt San Antonio College | CA | $40,793 | $61,177 | — |
| 13 | Guilford Technical Community College | NC | — | $58,433 | — |
| 14 | Broward College | FL | $53,564 | — | $10,500 |
| 15 | Montana State University | MT | $35,436 | — | $11,500 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning bachelor's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University | VA | $77,466 | $109,837 | $23,000 |
| 2 | Utah State University | UT | $43,591 | $107,771 | $24,250 |
| 3 | Utah Valley University | UT | $70,419 | $107,142 | $22,454 |
| 4 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | MN | $57,213 | $106,682 | $22,375 |
| 5 | Westminster University | UT | $36,912 | $106,097 | — |
| 6 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | NM | $91,027 | $104,912 | $24,109 |
| 7 | University of North Dakota | ND | $59,101 | $103,645 | $26,797 |
| 8 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | AZ | $64,220 | $99,660 | $18,500 |
| 9 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | FL | $64,220 | $99,660 | $18,500 |
| 10 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | FL | $64,220 | $99,660 | $18,500 |
| 11 | University of Dubuque | IA | $50,029 | $99,372 | $27,291 |
| 12 | Western Michigan University | MI | $45,056 | $99,318 | $26,125 |
| 13 | Kent State University at Kent | OH | $53,010 | $98,692 | $22,341 |
| 14 | Eastern Michigan University | MI | $58,261 | $98,359 | $27,000 |
| 15 | University of North Texas | TX | $51,717 | $97,177 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning master's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University-Main Campus | IN | $85,722 | $119,983 | — |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | AZ | $102,493 | $111,450 | — |
| 3 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | FL | $102,493 | $111,450 | — |
| 4 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | FL | $102,493 | $111,450 | — |
| 5 | Lewis University | IL | $72,760 | $110,356 | — |
| 6 | University of North Dakota | ND | $96,052 | $101,113 | — |
| 7 | Delta State University | MS | $96,313 | — | — |
| 8 | Liberty University | VA | $96,169 | — | — |
| 9 | Everglades University | FL | $82,078 | $84,289 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Quick answers
- How much do air transportation graduates earn?
- One year after finishing, a typical bachelor's program in air transportation reports median earnings of $53,749. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field of study data.
