Air Transportation at Central Washington University

Central Washington University's aviation program starts below the national average but shows remarkable momentum, with earnings jumping 70% by year four to reach $68,153—well above what most aviation programs deliver even at graduation. While first-year earnings of $40,025 lag the national median slightly, this appears to reflect typical entry patterns in commercial aviation where pilots and other professionals build hours and credentials before accessing higher-paying positions.

The debt picture stands out favorably. At $19,500, graduates carry significantly less than the national median of $24,500, and among Washington's three aviation programs, this represents the lowest debt burden in the state while matching the state median for earnings. That 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, especially given the strong earnings trajectory. The program ranks in the 60th percentile for Washington earnings, which means it outperforms the state median despite the state's limited number of aviation programs.

The real value here is in the fourth-year numbers combined with below-average debt. For families willing to weather the modest starting salary—common in aviation careers—this program offers a solid path to strong mid-career earnings without the debt loads that burden graduates at many competing schools. This is particularly relevant for an open-access institution serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students.