Air Transportation at Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,025/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market
Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI
21.6x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
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 | $807K | $793K | $709K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 22.0x | 21.6x | 19.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.5x | 7.4x | 6.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 48% | 39% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 59 | 58 | 58 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,768
Out-of-state: $107,084 (7.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,851
117% growth from Year 1
About Central Washington University
With 90% of applicants admitted, Central Washington University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.
See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington University →Top Career Paths
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
$226,600/yr
Air traffic controllers
$144,580/yr
Commercial pilots
$122,670/yr
Compare & Explore
Air Transportation at Other Schools
Other Majors at Central Washington University
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Air Transportation at Central Washington University?
A score of 58/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Air Transportation field.
What makes Central Washington University's Air Transportation program stand out?
Ranked #12 of 54 programs nationally, Central Washington University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →