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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Air Transportation Bachelor’s Degree Schools

50 Colleges in the United States
7,151 Air Transportation Degrees Awarded
$44,912 Avg Early-Career Salary

Air Transportation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 253 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best air transportation schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Air Transportation in the United States

Below are the best air transportation schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Air Transportation

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best air transportation schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 183 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $45,190 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. Get the full air transportation details for Purdue University Main Campus

2

San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 54 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. See the full air transportation program report for San Jose State University

3

A rank of #3 makes Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus one of the top schools for air transportation. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 33 air transportation degrees were awarded at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $88,085 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,108 to complete this degree. Read more about the air transportation program at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

4

Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in air transportation, ranking #4. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University awarded about 20 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $49,888 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. More information about a degree in air transportation from Baylor University

5

Students looking for a strong air transportation program will find one at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 93 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $45,193 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full air transportation program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

6

South Dakota State University earned the #6 position for air transportation this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Air Transportation graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete this degree. Get the full air transportation details for South Dakota State University

7

California Baptist University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. California Baptist University awarded about 25 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air transportation degree from California Baptist University earn around $48,989 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169. More information about a degree in air transportation from California Baptist University

8

Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. About 148 air transportation degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $56,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Get the full air transportation details for Utah Valley University

9

Southern Utah University came in at #9 for air transportation this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 air transportation degrees were awarded at Southern Utah University in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $44,998 in their early career. Southern Utah University graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. More information about a degree in air transportation from Southern Utah University

10

University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #10 among the best air transportation schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 38 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,837. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full air transportation details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

11

University Of North Dakota placed #11 among the best air transportation schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 381 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air transportation degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $46,193 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,769. See the full air transportation program report for University Of North Dakota

12

Louisiana Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. This large public university is located in the town of Ruston. Louisiana Tech University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 60 air transportation degrees were awarded at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $35,669 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in air transportation from Louisiana Tech University

13

Arizona State University landed the #13 spot for air transportation this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 88 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Air Transportation graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,421 to complete this degree. Get the full air transportation details for Arizona State University

14

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for air transportation this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 98 air transportation degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $45,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,924 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in air transportation from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

15
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #15 for air transportation this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 153 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $35,856 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. More information about a degree in air transportation from Auburn University

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #16 position for air transportation this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 505 air transportation degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $50,629 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,874. More information about a degree in air transportation from Liberty University

17

California State University Los Angeles came in at #17 for air transportation this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 34 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $46,267 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,132. Get the full air transportation details for California State University Los Angeles

18

Kansas State University earned the #18 position for air transportation this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 118 air transportation degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,198. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full air transportation program report for Kansas State University

19

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best air transportation schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 97 air transportation degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $40,102 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,842 in student loans. Read more about the air transportation program at Ohio State University Main Campus

20

Central Washington University earned the #20 position for air transportation this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 air transportation degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $40,025 in their early career. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in air transportation from Central Washington University

21

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #21 position for air transportation this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 420 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Air Transportation graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,909 early in their careers. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. See the full air transportation program report for Middle Tennessee State University

22
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Polk State College awarded about 41 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air transportation degree from Polk State College earn around $50,499 in the first couple years of their career. Polk State College graduates carry a median of $11,197 in student loans. See the full air transportation program report for Polk State College

23

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air transportation degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in air transportation from Ohio University Main Campus

24

Green River Community College landed the #24 spot for air transportation this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. There were roughly 32 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in air transportation from Green River Community College

25

Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Texas A And M University Central Texas awarded about 31 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $50,370 in their early career. Texas A And M University Central Texas graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Get the full air transportation details for Texas A And M University Central Texas

Rest of the Top 50 Air Transportation Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s air transportation ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA
40
41
42
43
44
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Air Transportation Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Air Transportation rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Air Transportation
Associate's Degrees in Air Transportation
Master's Degrees in Air Transportation
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View All Air Transportation Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 253 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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