Air Traffic Controller programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools to find the best for air traffic controller students.
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The air traffic controller program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Air Traffic Controller Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Air Traffic Controller School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Air Traffic Controller Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Air Traffic Controller in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the air traffic controller degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Aims Community College the best school in the country for a degree in air traffic controller. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. About 10 air traffic controller degrees were awarded at Aims Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in air traffic controller from Aims Community College
Students looking for a strong air traffic controller program will find one at University Of North Dakota, which ranked #2. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 21 air traffic controller students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Air Traffic Controller graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $75,100 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,769.
Get the full air traffic controller details for University Of North Dakota
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best air traffic controller schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 20 air traffic controller degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their air traffic controller degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn around $71,183 in the first couple years of their career. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans.
See the full air traffic controller program report for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Students looking for a strong air traffic controller program will find one at Florida Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Florida Institute Of Technology awarded about 25 air traffic controller degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air traffic controller degree from Florida Institute Of Technology earn around $47,019 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in air traffic controller from Florida Institute Of Technology
Mt San Antonio College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in air traffic controller, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 19 air traffic controller degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air traffic controller program make about $44,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384.
Read more about the air traffic controller program at Mt San Antonio College
Community College Of Beaver County came in at #6 for air traffic controller this year. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. About 14 air traffic controller degrees were awarded at Community College Of Beaver County in the most recent year. Graduates of the air traffic controller program make about $45,028 in their early career. Community College Of Beaver County graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
See the full air traffic controller program report for Community College Of Beaver County
Tulsa Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best air traffic controller schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 12 air traffic controller students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete this degree.
See the full air traffic controller program report for Tulsa Community College
Tulsa Technology Center came in at #8 for air traffic controller this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 29 air traffic controller students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Technology Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air traffic controller degree from Tulsa Technology Center earn around $32,406 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,384.
Get the full air traffic controller details for Tulsa Technology Center
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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 · 24 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).
