Air Transportation at Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,228/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 4.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #37 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 $736K $725K $654K
Earnings Multiple 4.9x 4.8x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$151,528
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,480
52% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,785
101% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,228/yr, Air Transportation graduates from Lewis University land near the $44,286 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 4.8x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Air Transportation's typical career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $39,228 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #37 of 54 Air Transportation programs, Lewis University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $78,785 show a 101% jump from the $39,228 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Lewis University

With 73% of applicants admitted, Lewis University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 3,665 in Romeoville, IL. The average net cost of $73,480 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lewis 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 Lewis University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Air Transportation at Lewis University?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Air Transportation. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Lewis University a hidden gem for Air Transportation?
After financial aid, the average student pays $73,480 over four years — 52% below the $151,528 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →