Air Transportation at Lewis University

Lewis University's aviation program starts graduates at a notably low $39,228—falling below both the national and Illinois medians for air transportation programs. But here's what matters for the long term: four years out, earnings jump 71% to nearly $67,000, suggesting graduates are successfully moving from entry-level positions into better-paying roles. Among Illinois's three aviation programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, trailing Southern Illinois University-Carbondale but not by a dramatic margin.

The $24,873 in debt is manageable relative to that first-year salary (63% ratio), and it's right in line with what aviation students typically borrow. The challenge is weathering those first couple years when new pilots and aviation professionals are building flight hours and credentials. Families need to plan for a period where loan payments might strain the budget before the earnings growth kicks in.

If your child is committed to aviation and willing to grind through the lower-paid early career phase, the trajectory here is solid. The program delivers meaningful earnings growth that justifies the investment, but make sure you have financial cushion to support them during those initial years when paychecks won't stretch far.