by our College Data Analytics Team
[Air Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying air transportation schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose air transportation graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 for air transportation graduate salaries in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a public school located in the city of Orem. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from Utah Valley University typically earn about $84,962 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Aims Community College one of the highest-paying schools for air transportation. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the air transportation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,031.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the highest-paying schools for air transportation. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public school located in the city of Denver. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver typically earn about $68,250 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Rocky Mountain College one of the highest-paying schools for air transportation. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from Rocky Mountain College typically earn about $41,588 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in air transportation will find them at Utah State University, which ranked #5. Utah State University is a public school located in the city of Logan. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from Utah State University typically earn about $33,142 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their air transportation graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.