Analysis
Florida's aviation industry offers strong prospects—peer programs in the state typically produce first-year earnings around $67,000—but this specific program's outcomes remain uncertain due to insufficient graduate data. The national benchmarks used here ($42,492 in estimated earnings) may not reflect what Florida's robust aerospace sector actually delivers to Pasco-Hernando graduates. That's a significant gap worth investigating, especially when established programs like Embry-Riddle consistently hit that higher mark.
The estimated debt load of $13,200 translates to a manageable 0.31 ratio against the national baseline earnings figure, which looks reasonable on paper. However, if Pasco-Hernando's graduates perform closer to the Florida median—nearly $25,000 higher—this becomes an even stronger financial proposition. Conversely, if outcomes fall short of state norms, that calculation changes quickly. With 30% of students receiving Pell grants, the debt burden matters significantly for families counting on aviation careers to deliver solid middle-class wages.
Before committing, contact the school directly about graduate placement rates, regional employer partnerships, and typical starting positions. The aviation field in Florida offers real opportunity, but you need concrete evidence that this particular program connects students to it rather than relying on encouraging estimates borrowed from programs elsewhere.
Where Pasco-Hernando State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all air transportation associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Air Transportation associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,155 | $42,492* | — | $13,208* | — | |
| $42,304 | $66,957* | $66,388 | $18,750* | 0.28 | |
| $11,665 | $66,957* | $66,388 | $18,750* | 0.28 | |
| National Median | — | $42,492* | — | $14,803* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with air transportation graduates
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Commercial Pilots
Air Traffic Controllers
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Supply Chain Managers
Flight Attendants
First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
Airfield Operations Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Pasco-Hernando State College, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.