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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find where air transportation graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose air transportation graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of Nebraska At Omaha the top school for air transportation graduate earnings in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Air Transportation graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of about $96,648 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Dakota came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying air transportation schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from University Of North Dakota typically earn about $91,399 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the highest-paying schools for air transportation. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Students who complete the air transportation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,367.
Students chasing top earnings in air transportation will find them at University Of Dubuque, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Dubuque typically earn about $73,760 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place for air transportation. Kansas State University is a public school located in the city of Manhattan. After graduating, air transportation degree recipients from Kansas State University typically earn about $51,198 annually.
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for air transportation salaries this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Early-career air transportation graduates from Saint Louis University Main Campus make a median of around $44,459 per year.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #7 spot for air transportation salaries this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Early-career air transportation graduates from University Of Central Missouri make a median of around $38,283 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.