Air Transportation at University of Nebraska at Kearney

A bachelor's degree in aviation with first-year earnings around $43,000 and estimated debt of $23,600 lands right at the national median for this field—neither a standout nor a red flag. Based on comparable programs nationwide, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 suggests graduates would dedicate roughly half their first-year salary to their educational investment, which falls within a manageable range for a technical field with clear career pathways. Aviation programs typically lead to regulated professions with structured advancement, which can offset moderate starting salaries.

The estimated figures here align closely with the University of Nebraska at Omaha's reported outcomes for the same degree ($42,837 in earnings, $21,000 in debt), suggesting these projections may reasonably reflect what Nebraska aviation graduates experience. The field itself doesn't show dramatic variation nationally—the 75th percentile earnings are only about $4,000 higher than the median—indicating relatively standardized entry-level compensation across programs.

For parents, the practical consideration is whether their student has genuine interest in piloting or aviation management careers, since this degree is quite specialized. The estimated debt load is modest enough that it shouldn't prevent someone from pursuing required flight certifications or ratings after graduation. Just recognize you're relying on peer-program data rather than this school's track record, so verify current program costs and talk to recent graduates if possible before committing.