Air Transportation at Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,781
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,750
85% growth from Year 1
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
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 →