Air Transportation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

A 62% admission rate makes Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 8,786 students in Daytona Beach, FL.

Program Analysis

At $66,957 per year, Air Transportation graduates from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide significantly outpace the $42,988 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 37.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Air Transportation career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $18,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #3 ranking among 10 Air Transportation programs places Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 26% earnings increase from $66,957 to $84,472 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
59
Score
61
High End
Earnings $66,957/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (67% shielded)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$882K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
37.8x
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
$23,330
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,472
26% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Air Transportation 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 →

About Air Transportation Careers

Your career in air transportation could take you directly into the cabin or the cockpit. As a flight attendant, your day is centered on safety and service; you’ll conduct pre-flight briefings, secure the cabin, and act as the first responder for any in-flight medical or security issues. In the cockpit, a pilot’s work involves meticulous pre-flight checks on the aircraft, managing complex avionics, and communicating constantly with air traffic control to navigate safely.

Read the full Air Transportation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Air Transportation Overview

Air Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Air Transportation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Air Transportation graduates.
How affordable is Air Transportation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide?
At $18,750 in median debt, Air Transportation graduates from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Air Transportation graduates?
Air Transportation connects to 5 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Air Transportation graduates?
The career paths mapped to Air Transportation have roughly 60,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →