Air Transportation at Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,872/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market
Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI
12.1x earnings multiple (9.7x 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 | $750K | $738K | $665K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.3x | 12.1x | 10.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 9.8x | 9.7x | 8.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 48% | 39% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 46 | 48 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,192
Out-of-state: $76,392 (9.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,500
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,215
121% growth from Year 1
About Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 12,704 students in Kalamazoo, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan 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 Western Michigan University
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
What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Air Transportation at Western Michigan University?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Air Transportation programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Western Michigan University a good choice for Air Transportation despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Western Michigan University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →