Air Transportation at Glendale Community College

A $13,000 debt load for entry into aviation careers isn't alarming on its face, but the picture gets murkier when you realize both the earnings and debt figures here are national estimates rather than outcomes specific to Glendale's program. Similar air transportation associate's programs across the country suggest first-year earnings around $42,500, which would make the debt manageable at about three months of gross income. However, aviation careers vary wildly—from aircraft mechanics to air traffic control to airline operations—and the trajectory depends entirely on which path your child pursues and whether they need additional certifications beyond this degree.

The real question is whether Glendale's specific program leads to the licenses and credentials California employers actually want. With 13 programs across the state and no reported outcomes data available for comparison, you're essentially flying blind on how this particular school's graduates fare in a competitive market like Southern California, where aviation jobs exist but so does intense competition. The modest Pell grant enrollment suggests this isn't primarily serving low-income students who might struggle most with even moderate debt.

Before committing, verify exactly which FAA certifications or other credentials this associate's degree provides, confirm whether graduates typically need additional training to become employable, and try to connect with recent alumni directly. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if the program delivers clear job pathways, but you need concrete evidence about where Glendale's specific graduates actually land.