Best colleges for Air Transportation in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Lewis University and Parkland College award the most Air Transportation degrees and certificates in Illinois: 224, 151 and 92 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Illinois colleges offer Air Transportation and award 542 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Air Transportation program focuses on the various aspects of transportation and materials moving, preparing students for careers in the aviation industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in aeronautics, airline…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,063 | 224 | 62% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,228 | 151 | 67% | $17,632 | $24,873 |
Colleges awarding the most Air Transportation degrees in Illinois
Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 224 | $44,063 |
| 2 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | 151 | $39,228 |
| 3 | Parkland College Champaign Public | 92 | Not reported |
| 4 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Public | 30 | Not reported |
| 5 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 6 | Oakton College Des Plaines Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 7 | Sauk Valley Community College Dixon Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Quincy University Quincy Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Air Transportation
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (SOC 11-3071).
Top skills
What Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Air Transportation programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Air Transportation degrees?+
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (224 graduates a year), Lewis University (151 graduates a year) and Parkland College (92 graduates a year) award the most Air Transportation degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Illinois colleges offer Air Transportation.
Which Air Transportation program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale tops the list at $44,063. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers in Illinois is $129,630 (median $120,250), across about 11,030 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Air Transportation program?+
The Air Transportation program focuses on the various aspects of transportation and materials moving, preparing students for careers in the aviation industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in aeronautics, airline…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +6.1% growth with around 18,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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