Air Transportation at Texas State Technical College
serving 9,153 students in Waco, TX.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $35,008/yr fall 19% below the $42,988 national median for Air Transportation. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 41.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Air Transportation programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Air Transportation's career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.
At $10,917 in median debt against $35,008 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
Ranked #6 of 10 Air Transportation programs, Texas State Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $60,824 show a 74% jump from the $35,008 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Air Transportation offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Air Transportation Overview
Air Transportation at Other Schools
Other Majors at Texas State Technical College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.