Air Transportation at Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College's Air Transportation program starts graduates at just $35,000—barely half the national median for this field—but the trajectory tells a different story. Within four years, earnings jump 47% to over $51,000, suggesting graduates are moving into better-paying aviation roles as they build experience and credentials. That starting figure places this program in the 5th percentile nationally, but it's actually the median for Texas air transportation programs, where the market appears distinctly cooler than in states with major airline hubs.

The $12,000 in typical debt is manageable enough that even the weak starting salary yields a reasonable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is one of the lowest-debt air transportation programs in the country (88th percentile for low debt). For a field where entry-level positions often involve flight instruction, aircraft maintenance, or ground operations before advancing to commercial flying or management roles, that back-end loaded earning pattern makes sense—though it requires patience and financial runway in those early years.

The central question is whether your child can handle 1-2 years of sub-$40,000 earnings while building flight hours or technical certifications. If they're committed to aviation and can supplement income or minimize living costs initially, the four-year outlook becomes competitive with many bachelor's degrees. If they need immediate income, this career path's delayed payoff could prove frustrating.