Air Transportation at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,625/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 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 $639K $632K $579K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.8x 15.6x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,781
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,750
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Eastern Kentucky University's Air Transportation graduates start at $35,625/yr, trailing the $44,286 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 15.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,781 debt-to-$35,625 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #30 out of 54 programs, Eastern Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Air Transportation trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $35,625 to $65,750 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Eastern Kentucky University

A 78% acceptance rate means Eastern Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 11,674 in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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

Other Majors at Eastern Kentucky University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Eastern Kentucky University's Air Transportation program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Air Transportation. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Air Transportation earnings lower at Eastern Kentucky University?
Lower starting pay at Eastern Kentucky University 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 →