2026 Best Air Transportation Schools in California
Air Transportation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools to find the best for air transportation students.
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Featured Air Transportation Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Schools for Air Transportation in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall air transportation education in California.
Top Schools in Air Transportation
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in air transportation. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 54 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the air transportation program at San Jose State University
California Baptist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $48,989. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169.
See the full air transportation program report for California Baptist University
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the top schools for air transportation. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Air Transportation graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $46,267 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,132.
See the full air transportation program report for California State University Los Angeles
Orange Coast College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 57 air transportation degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978.
More information about a degree in air transportation from Orange Coast College
Students looking for a strong air transportation program will find one at Cypress College, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 84 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the air transportation program at Cypress College
San Diego Miramar College earned the #6 position for air transportation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 32 air transportation degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their air transportation degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098.
Read more about the air transportation program at San Diego Miramar College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #7 position for air transportation this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. About 70 air transportation degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in air transportation from Mt San Antonio College
Fullerton College came in at #8 for air transportation this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year.
See the full air transportation program report for Fullerton College
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca landed the #9 spot for air transportation this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. About 30 air transportation degrees were awarded at Glendale Community College Glendale Ca in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete this degree.
Get the full air transportation details for Glendale Community College Glendale Ca
Santa Barbara Business College Ventura placed #10 among the best air transportation schools. Set in the suburb of Bakersfield, Santa Barbara Business College Ventura is a small private for-profit institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. Santa Barbara Business College Ventura awarded about 48 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Santa Barbara Business College Ventura generally make around $52,656. Santa Barbara Business College Ventura graduates carry a median of $30,024 in student loans.
More information about a degree in air transportation from Santa Barbara Business College Ventura
More Air Transportation Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 18 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
