Best institutions to study Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology
A program that focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations.
89 U.S. institutions graduated 6,507 Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0101, a specialization of Air Transportation (CIP 49.01), and leads most directly to the Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3071).
About Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology programs
A program that focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations. Includes instruction in the technical, business, and general aspects of air transportation systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology program, with a focus on Air Transportation, provides a comprehensive study of aviation and the aviation industry. This program is designed for students interested in both in-flight and ground support operations, blending technical knowledge with business acumen in air transportation systems. It is ideal for those seeking to pursue a career in the dynamic field of aviation.
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Students in this program will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics such as transportation systems, administration and management, customer service, and the fundamentals of logistics and safety in aviation operations.
Credentials awarded
What Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree5,037 graduates / yr · 64 institutions77%
- Master's degree767 graduates / yr · 15 institutions12%
- Associate's degree462 graduates / yr · 22 institutions7.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year167 graduates / yr · 14 institutions2.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship25 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate21 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks16 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,499 |
| 2013 | 4,141 |
| 2014 | 3,794 |
| 2015 | 3,556 |
| 2016 | 3,260 |
| 2017 | 3,450 |
| 2018 | 3,635 |
| 2019 | 4,057 |
| 2020 | 4,288 |
| 2021 | 5,009 |
| 2022 | 5,443 |
| 2023 | 5,674 |
| 2024 | 6,287 |
| 2025 | 6,507 |
Top 50 institutions for Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sPost-degree cert. | 1,597 | 21% | $21,266 | $54,827 |
| 2 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sDoctoral | 727 | 67% | $38,899 | $54,827 |
| 3 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 537 | 65% | $28,911 | $50,629 |
| 4 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 319 | 60% | — | $46,193 |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 221 | 54% | — | $43,909 |
| 6 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 208 | 68% | $38,461 | $54,827 |
| 7 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 187 | 58% | — | $34,872 |
| 8 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 175 | 68% | — | $45,682 |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 153 | 83% | — | $45,190 |
| 10 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sDoctoral | 141 | 64% | $33,585 | $47,019 |
| 11 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 129 | 68% | — | $44,481 |
| 12 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 127 | 32% | — | $43,922 |
| 13 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor's | 126 | 54% | — | $45,193 |
| 14 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GAPublicBachelor's | 120 | 25% | — | $41,028 |
| 15 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 93 | 64% | — | $40,876 |
| 16 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 87 | 59% | — | $33,142 |
| 17 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 83 | 71% | — | $51,198 |
| 18 | Everglades University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 78 | 61% | $29,513 | $53,331 |
| 19 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OKPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 77 | 32% | — | — |
| 20 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 73 | 64% | — | $33,172 |
| 21 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor's | 70 | 69% | — | — |
| 22 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 67 | 39% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 65 | 75% | — | $38,652 |
| 24 | Lane Community College Eugene, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 57 | 20% | — | — |
| 25 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 62% | — | $44,063 |
| 26 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor's | 51 | 50% | — | $35,625 |
| 27 | LeTourneau University Longview, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 47 | 59% | $24,186 | $38,205 |
| 28 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UTPublicBachelor's | 47 | 61% | — | — |
| 29 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicBachelor's | 46 | 53% | — | $43,171 |
| 30 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 46 | 80% | $24,886 | $44,459 |
| 31 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 45 | 67% | $17,632 | $39,228 |
| 32 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor's | 43 | 47% | — | $42,837 |
| 33 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 33 | 88% | — | $40,102 |
| 34 | Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NCPublicBachelor's | 29 | 44% | — | — |
| 35 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 53% | — | $46,267 |
| 36 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 31% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor's | 26 | 51% | — | — |
| 38 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor's | 24 | 62% | — | — |
| 39 | Lynn University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 52% | $38,343 | — |
| 40 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 34% | — | — |
| 41 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 43% | — | — |
| 42 | Angelo State University San Angelo, TXPublicBachelor's | 22 | 44% | — | — |
| 43 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicBachelor's | 21 | 37% | — | — |
| 44 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicBachelor's | 21 | 39% | — | — |
| 45 | Delaware State University Dover, DEPublicBachelor's | 20 | 39% | — | — |
| 46 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicAssociate's | 20 | 57% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicBachelor's | 18 | 30% | — | $40,796 |
| 48 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 17 | 61% | — | $56,487 |
| 49 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 47% | $21,848 | — |
| 50 | Averett University Danville, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 48% | $23,171 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Air Transportation field (CIP 49.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 41 states
Where Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Air Transportation programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3071, Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, among other roles in the aviation industry. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 6.1% and approximately 18,500 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $102,010, with a typical education requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managersprimary SOC 11-3071 | $107,230 | +6.1% Faster than average | ~18,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
- Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
- Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
- Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
- Analyze all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
Tools and technology used
Other Air Transportation specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Air Transportation (CIP 49.01).
- Airline/CIP 49.0102
Commercial/ Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 2,557 graduates / yr105 institutions - Aviation/CIP 49.0104
Airway Management and Operations 2,098 graduates / yr72 institutions - Air Traffic ControllerCIP 49.0105232 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Air TransportationCIP 49.0199218 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Remote Aircraft PilotCIP 49.0109177 graduates / yr26 institutions
- Airline Flight AttendantCIP 49.0106partial data70 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Flight InstructorCIP 49.0108partial data36 graduates / yr5 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 89 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, communication, and management.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.1% and 18,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology?+
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology is CIP 49.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Air Transportation (CIP 49.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations. Includes instruction in the technical, business, and general aspects of air transportation systems.
How many institutions offer Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology programs?+
89 U.S. institutions reported Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 41 states, awarding 6,507 credentials in the year. That is 54.7% of all Air Transportation graduates.
How much do Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers occupation, which Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,230 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Air Transportation field report median earnings of $43,922 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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