by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 214 U.S. colleges awarded 12,000 degrees and certificates in Air Transportation. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 59% of graduates. College Factual ranks 128 schools in its 2027 Best Air Transportation Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $54,735 one year after completing, rising to $88,771 after four years.
Are you fascinated with the science of flight? A program in Air Transportation will educate students in the study of aviation, in addition to the business and technical side of the aviation industry. You will study the many factors and manpower that go into executing a single flight.
You may have the ability to choose a concentration in this major. Some of the specializations available are Aerospace Science and Technology, Professional Pilot and Flight Crew, Airways Management and Operations, Air Traffic Controller, Airline Flight Attendant, and Flight Instructor.
In addition to taking classes in your chosen concentration, you will also take courses in flight theory, business administration, aviation safety, air traffic control, meteorology, ad federal aviation regulations. This major is typically offered as an Associate's degree; however this can vary depending on the concentration.
A degree in Air Transportation covers Air Transportation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, air transportation is a popular field of study, with 12,000 degrees awarded annually. 214 colleges award air transportation degrees, an average of 56 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,705.
By level, the 12,000 awards include 187 certificates, 1,991 associate degrees, 7,057 bachelor’s degrees, 2,482 master’s degrees and 28 doctorates.
Women earned 19% of air transportation degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,238 of 12,000). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,842) and Hispanic or Latino (1,664), and international students earned 1,005.
College Factual ranks 128 schools in its 2027 Best Air Transportation Schools ranking, including 50 for associate degrees, 73 for bachelor’s degrees and 15 for master’s degrees. It also ranks air transportation schools within 34 states. In all, 214 colleges offer air transportation programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Air Transportation Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common air transportation credential is the bachelor’s degree: 7,057 of the 12,000 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to air transportation call most for Active Listening, Monitoring and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Transportation, English Language and Public Safety and Security, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning and Oral Comprehension.
The airline industry is constantly being updated with new technology and regulations. Those who work in this field will always be learning in order to stay up to date. Clear and careful communication is necessary to prevent devastating accidents and mistakes. Problem-solving and decision-making skills are also important in this field, as is the ability to stay calm in tense situations.
Students might need to pursue additional education, depending on which concentrations they pursue; for example airline pilots need to obtain a commercial pilot's license.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an air transportation degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 187 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,991 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,057 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,482 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 28 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to air transportation, at 46.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 23.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Air Transportation, with an average median salary of $63,368; the strongest outlook belongs to Airfield Operations Specialists, at 12.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Copilot, First Officer Pilot (FO Pilot), Line Pilot and Pilot.
There are many different career paths in the airline industry. Air traffic controllers organize and direct the movement of air traffic and make sure the planes are safe distances apart. Another job is that of aircraft mechanic or technician. These professionals work long hours in order to maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters. Other jobs include becoming an pilot or flight attendant. Some of these careers may require additional training. The demand in this field varies depending on your chosen profession. For example, there is an increased demand for air traffic controllers, but less of a demand for aircraft mechanics. Salary varies depending on career choice and any additional training received.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to air transportation, at 1,262,439.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialists | 1,262,439 | 12.9% |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | 1,094,880 | -1.9% |
| Air Traffic Controllers | 512,501 | 1.9% |
| Supply Chain Managers | 421,849 | 12.7% |
| Commercial Pilots | 368,702 | -1.8% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants | 311,580 | 3.7% |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | 227,314 | 11.6% |
| Flight Attendants | 195,404 | 0.0% |
Air Transportation graduates earn a median $54,735 one year after completing their program, $88,771 after four years and $80,211 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,735 |
| 4 years | $88,771 |
| 5 years | $80,211 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to air transportation is Supply Chain Managers, with a median salary of $138,103.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Supply Chain Managers | $138,103 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $76,615 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $58,648 |
| Airfield Operations Specialists | $54,884 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants | $52,658 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $46,187 |
| Commercial Pilots | $43,713 |
| Flight Attendants | $36,135 |
Air Transportation includes 8 concentrations that together award 12,000 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General (6,536), Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew (2,560) and Aviation/Airway Management and Operations (2,152). It has 3 similar majors in the Transportation & Materials Moving field, which together award 20,604 degrees a year; the largest are Ground Transportation (19,489), Marine Transportation (1,088) and Transportation and Materials Moving, Other (27). Browse all Transportation & Materials Moving majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | 19,489 |
| Marine Transportation | 1,088 |
| Transportation and Materials Moving, Other | 27 |
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