Air Transportation at Holmes Community College

A 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio puts this program in reasonable territory—based on comparable aviation programs nationwide, graduates typically earn around $42,500 in their first year while carrying roughly $13,200 in debt. That's manageable by standard measures, though Holmes' actual outcomes remain uncertain since the graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report publicly.

The challenge with associate programs in air transportation is what that credential gets you. Entry-level aviation jobs—aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians, airport operations—often require additional FAA certifications beyond the degree itself. The estimated first-year earnings align with national medians for these programs, but parents should verify what specific certifications or licenses this program prepares students to complete, and whether the pathway leads to careers requiring a bachelor's degree down the line.

With 42% of Holmes students receiving Pell grants and four aviation programs operating in Mississippi, affordability matters. The estimated debt burden is below the national median for these programs ($14,803), which is a plus. But the lack of reported data means you're making this decision somewhat blind—there's no track record showing where this cohort's graduates actually land or what they earn. If your child is certain about aviation and Holmes offers the right certifications at a lower cost than alternatives, the numbers suggest it could work. Just know you're relying on what peer programs achieve, not what this specific one delivers.