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Transportation · Air Transportation Rank #6 of 54

Air Transportationat Minnesota State University-Mankato

Graduates earn $45,193/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Air Transportation average. Base-case 10-year earnings $742K; scenarios range from $668K to $754K depending on AI disruption.

Mankato, MN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
61 SOLID
62
Optimistic
60
Pessimistic
Earnings
$45,193
1-year post-graduation
ROI
21.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$742K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
37% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Minnesota State University-Mankato

This program's strong standing reflects the critical demand for skilled aviation professionals, particularly within the Midwest's robust regional air transportation network. As a public institution, Minnesota State-Mankato likely offers a practical, hands-on curriculum focused on building essential flight hours and certifications, which are paramount in this field. You'll enter a job market eager for pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation managers, with many graduates finding roles at regional airlines, cargo operators, or general aviation companies serving the region. The career paths often involve significant travel and irregular hours, but the compensation reflects specialized expertise. To maximize your outcome, actively pursue every opportunity for flight time and consider internships with local or regional aviation companies to build connections and experience early in your studies.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$668K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple17.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$742K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple19.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$754K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple19.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Minnesota State University-Mankato's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Air Transportation graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
+3.9% 10-yr growth · 11,700 openings/yr
$226,600/yr
Moderate
2
Air traffic controllers
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 2,200 openings/yr
$144,580/yr
Moderate
3
Commercial pilots
+5.1% 10-yr growth · 6,600 openings/yr
$122,670/yr
Low
4
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
+6.1% 10-yr growth · 18,500 openings/yr
$102,010/yr
Moderate
5
Flight attendants
+9.2% 10-yr growth · 19,800 openings/yr
$67,130/yr
Low
6
Airfield operations specialists
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$56,750/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Air Transportation

How Minnesota State University-Mankato stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
NM · Public
61
DW Score
$88K
1-yr earn
31.1x
ROI
Hallmark University
TX · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$79K
1-yr earn
University of North Texas
TX · Public
62
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
15.5x
ROI
Top score
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
67
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
33.0x
ROI
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
FL · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
17.0x
ROI
Also at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Other top programs at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Minnesota State University-Mankato, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Air Transportation offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Air Transportation trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Air Transportation at Minnesota State University-Mankato

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Air Transportation at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

At 61/100, Minnesota State University-Mankato's Air Transportation program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is Minnesota State University-Mankato one of the best schools for Air Transportation?

Among 54 Air Transportation programs, Minnesota State University-Mankato's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.