Air Transportation at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Portales, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $88,085/yr (99% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 27.1x earnings multiple (21.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 54 Air Transportation programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

The exceptional performance of this Air Transportation program highlights its focus on highly specialized and in-demand aviation careers. You’re entering a rigorous training environment designed to prepare you for critical roles like commercial piloting or air traffic control, which demand extensive certification and continuous skill development. The strong earnings reflect the intensive nature of these professions, the significant responsibility involved, and the industry’s consistent need for qualified personnel. While Portales may not be a major aviation hub, this often translates to a focused learning experience, potentially with dedicated access to flight training facilities or simulation labs. To truly maximize your outcome, actively pursue every available flight rating or air traffic control certification offered within the program, and seek out internships with regional airlines or the FAA to gain invaluable real-world operational experience.

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 $756K $744K $669K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.5x 27.1x 24.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 21.4x 21.0x 18.9x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,452
Out-of-state: $35,372 (21.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$24,796
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$118,920
35% growth from Year 1

About Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

With a 55% acceptance rate, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus is moderately selective, a compact campus enrolling 3,186 students in Portales, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern New Mexico 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

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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

How does Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus's Air Transportation program score?
This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Air Transportation graduates.
Why does Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus rank so high for Air Transportation?
The #7 ranking out of 54 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →