Air Transportation at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's aviation program graduates start at $40,846—trailing the national median by about $2,000, but outperforming most Michigan alternatives. The state comparison matters here: with only five aviation programs in Michigan, Eastern's graduates earn notably more than the state's $37,859 median and pull ahead of Western Michigan's $34,872. For families committed to staying in-state, this positioning makes the program worth considering.

The debt picture looks quite favorable. At $29,750, graduates borrow slightly above the state median but well below national norms for aviation programs (5th percentile nationally for debt). That's meaningful in an industry where pilots typically need additional flight hours and certifications before reaching their career earnings potential. The 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable payments during those crucial early career years when graduates are building hours.

The main caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 recent graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. Still, for Michigan families whose child is set on aviation, Eastern delivers competitive in-state results without the debt burden that plagues some aviation programs. The relatively low borrowing keeps career options open during the progression toward commercial pilot roles.