Air Transportation at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,190/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 54 Air Transportation programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Purdue's Air Transportation program stands out due to its long-standing reputation and deep integration within the aviation industry, fostering a direct pipeline to major airlines, regional carriers, and key air traffic control centers. This isn't just a degree; it's a highly structured pathway where employers actively recruit, trusting the intensive training and comprehensive understanding of aviation operations you'll gain. The specialized skills in piloting, navigation, and systems management, honed through rigorous flight and ground instruction, are in constant demand, supporting the strong career trajectory you see. Your success will hinge on maximizing your practical flight hours and leveraging the program's extensive alumni network for mentorship and early career opportunities.

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 $726K $715K $646K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.2x 17.9x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.2x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 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)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,095
79% growth from Year 1

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue 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

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

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

How does Purdue University-Main Campus's Air Transportation program score?
This program scores 60/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Air Transportation graduates.
Why does Purdue University-Main Campus rank so high for Air Transportation?
The #8 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 →