Air Transportation at California Aeronautical University

Bakersfield, CA · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,656/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #39 of 54 Air Transportation programs

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 $549K $547K $509K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$141,860
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,931
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

About California Aeronautical University

a compact campus enrolling 383 students in Bakersfield, CA. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California Aeronautical University →

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

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Air Transportation at California Aeronautical University?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Air Transportation programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →