Air Transportation at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,172/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 of 54 Air Transportation programs

Program Analysis

The financial outcomes for graduates of this Air Transportation program, as the data reveals, present a challenging picture compared to similar programs nationally. This often reflects the significant upfront investment required for pilot training, which extends far beyond tuition to include extensive flight hours, certifications, and ratings necessary to become a fully qualified pilot. Your early career will likely involve building flight time as an instructor or with regional carriers, where initial compensation is considerably lower before you qualify for the higher-paying commercial pilot or air traffic controller roles listed. Consider the full financial journey and the years it takes to reach those top-tier salaries. Before committing, thoroughly research the total cost of becoming a certified pilot and the typical starting roles for graduates in the current labor market.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Air Transportation graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $436K $438K $421K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.7x 7.8x 7.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 5.0x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 30 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,324
Out-of-state: $88,280 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,672
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

About Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 12,255 students in Bowling Green, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600/yr
Air traffic controllers $144,580/yr
Commercial pilots $122,670/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Air Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's Air Transportation program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Air Transportation. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Air Transportation earnings lower at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Lower starting pay at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →