Aviation at Central Oregon Community College

Bend, OR · Public · Associate Degree · Air Transportation

with a smaller student body of 3,577 in Bend, OR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,594 at Central Oregon Community College come in 13% above the national median of $42,988 for Aviation programs.

With a 51.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Aviation career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $48,594 far exceeding the $16,419 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #1 of 10 programs, this Aviation program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Aviation reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
60
Score
61
High End
Earnings $48,594/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (67% shielded)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$508K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,882
Out-of-state: $26,370
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,419
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Aviation graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600 +3.9% 65%
Air traffic controllers $144,580 +1.2% 66%
Commercial pilots $122,670 +5.1% 76%
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
$226,600
+3.9% growth 65% AI-proof
Air traffic controllers
$144,580
+1.2% growth 66% AI-proof
Commercial pilots
$122,670
+5.1% growth 76% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Aviation Career Guide

Explore what Aviation graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 10 programs nationwide.

Read the full Aviation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Aviation Overview

Aviation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Oregon Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Aviation at Central Oregon Community College?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Aviation field.
Can I learn Aviation through an apprenticeship instead of Central Oregon Community College?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Aviation career paths, including Air Traffic Controller (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Central Oregon Community College.
Will Aviation graduates from Central Oregon Community College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Aviation have roughly 60,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →