Air Transportation at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Based on comparable Air Transportation programs nationally, first-year earnings around $42,500 against estimated debt of $13,200 creates a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning your child would owe roughly three months' salary. That's a reasonable starting point for a two-year degree, though it's worth noting these figures come from peer institutions rather than Chandler-Gilbert's specific graduates. The aviation industry typically rewards experience and certifications over time, so initial earnings don't tell the full story of career trajectory.

The challenge is uncertainty. With only 140 programs nationally offering this associate's degree and limited reported data, we're working with a small reference pool. Arizona has just four schools in this field, and none publish graduate outcomes, making it difficult to assess how local market conditions or program quality might affect results. The relatively low Pell grant percentage at Chandler-Gilbert (11%) suggests fewer low-income students choose this path, possibly because aviation training often requires additional out-of-pocket costs beyond tuition—flight hours, certifications, and equipment that won't show up in these debt figures.

If your child is serious about aviation and Chandler-Gilbert offers the specific certifications or flight training hours needed for their target role, the debt burden appears manageable. Just recognize you're betting on an industry trajectory rather than proven outcomes from this particular program.