Air Transportation at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Drawing on national data from similar aviation programs, this associate's degree suggests a debt load around $13,200—roughly three months of first-year earnings. That's manageable territory, though it's worth noting these figures reflect typical outcomes across peer programs rather than tracking Minneapolis Community and Technical College graduates specifically.

The real story emerges in year four, when median earnings jump to nearly $60,000. Aviation careers often follow this pattern: entry-level positions while building flight hours or certifications, followed by advancement into better-paying roles as pilots or aviation technicians accumulate experience and credentials. Comparable programs nationally show first-year earnings around $42,500, which aligns with what we'd expect here, putting graduates in position to clear their debt relatively quickly while building toward stronger mid-career compensation.

For families weighing this investment, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 falls well below the concerning threshold of 1.0, and the four-year earnings trajectory suggests the financial picture improves with time in the field. The key variable is whether your student commits to accumulating the additional certifications and flight hours that aviation careers demand—that's what typically separates those who reach the $60,000 range from those who plateau earlier.