Analysis
Aviation careers typically command solid starting salaries, and peer programs in Florida suggest this one follows that pattern. Comparable air transportation bachelor's programs in the state produce median first-year earnings around $50,500—nearly $7,500 above the national median for this field. That's encouraging, placing graduates near what top Florida programs like Embry-Riddle and Everglades University report.
The estimated $26,000 in debt sits right at Florida's median for aviation programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. Similar programs suggest graduates could realistically pay this down within a few years if they enter the field directly. For context, this debt load is slightly above the national median but typical for Florida aviation programs at private universities. The real question is whether your child can access the flight training hours and certifications needed for career advancement—that's where program costs can escalate beyond tuition alone.
Here's what matters: if your child is committed to an aviation career and Southeastern's program includes the necessary FAA certifications and industry connections, the financial profile looks workable based on peer outcomes. However, since these figures are estimates from similar programs rather than actual graduate data, confirm what credentials the program delivers and how its graduates actually fare in the job market before committing.
Where Southeastern University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all air transportation bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Air Transportation bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31,732 | $50,499* | — | $26,063* | — | |
| $42,304 | $54,827* | $72,710 | $22,000* | 0.40 | |
| $11,665 | $54,827* | $72,710 | $22,000* | 0.40 | |
| $20,768 | $53,331* | $69,522 | $42,750* | 0.80 | |
| $3,366 | $50,499* | — | —* | — | |
| $44,360 | $47,019* | $68,636 | $27,000* | 0.57 | |
| National Median | — | $43,044* | — | $24,500* | 0.57 |
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 Southeastern University, approximately 22% 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 median of 7 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.