Air Transportation at LeTourneau University

LeTourneau's aviation program graduates start at $38,205—well below the Texas median of $56,487 and ranking in just the 10th percentile among the state's nine aviation programs. That's a significant gap in a state with strong aerospace and aviation industries, and it means graduates here earn roughly $18,000 less annually than their peers at other Texas schools right out of the gate.

The silver lining is dramatic earnings growth: salaries nearly double to $71,704 by year four, which eventually surpasses the state median. The manageable $27,000 in debt (lower than most aviation programs) means the initial financial pinch won't be crushing. But parents should understand this means potentially four years of financial struggle during the crucial career-building phase. For comparison, University of North Texas aviation graduates start near $56,000—those extra early-career dollars can matter significantly when establishing independence and building savings.

The program works if your child can weather lower starting pay, perhaps through family support or living at home initially. The eventual outcomes suggest solid pilot training and career placement, just with a slower financial ramp-up. If immediate post-graduation earning power matters—for loan repayment, financial independence, or opportunity costs—the other Texas programs offer substantially stronger early returns without meaningfully higher debt.