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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Air Transportation Schools in the The Plains States Region

7 Colleges in the United States
898 Air Transportation Degrees Awarded
$49,068 Avg Early-Career Salary

Air Transportation is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools to find the best for air transportation students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Air Transportation in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall air transportation education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Air Transportation

1

Leading the list is Minnesota State University Mankato, our #1 school for air transportation. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 93 air transportation degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent 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. Read more about the air transportation program at Minnesota State University Mankato

2

Students looking for a strong air transportation program will find one at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 air transportation degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent 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. Read more about the air transportation program at South Dakota State University

3

University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in air transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 38 air transportation degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent 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. See the full air transportation program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

4

Students looking for a strong air transportation program will find one at University Of North Dakota, which ranked #4. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. University Of North Dakota awarded about 407 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Air Transportation graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $75,100 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,769 to complete this degree. Read more about the air transportation program at University Of North Dakota

5

Students looking for a strong air transportation program will find one at Kansas State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 119 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,198. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the air transportation program at Kansas State University

6

Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #6 position for air transportation this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 44 air transportation degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $44,459 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full air transportation program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus

7

University Of Central Missouri earned the #7 position for air transportation this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Graduates of the air transportation program make about $58,753 in their early career. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in air transportation from University Of Central Missouri

8

Dodge City Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best air transportation schools. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Dodge City Community College awarded about 14 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in air transportation from Dodge City Community College

9

University Of Dubuque landed the #9 spot for air transportation this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 40% of students finish within six years. University Of Dubuque awarded about 61 air transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, air transportation degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $37,362. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. Get the full air transportation details for University Of Dubuque

10

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for air transportation this year. This large public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 11 air transportation degrees were awarded at Ozarks Technical Community College in the most recent year. Air Transportation graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Ozarks Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Read more about the air transportation program at Ozarks Technical Community College

11

National American University Rapid City landed the #11 spot for air transportation this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 18 air transportation students who graduated with this degree at National American University Rapid City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their air transportation degree from National American University Rapid City earn around $47,873 in the first couple years of their career. National American University Rapid City graduates carry a median of $38,264 in student loans. More information about a degree in air transportation from National American University Rapid City

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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 · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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