Best institutions to study Air Traffic Controller
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center in a cooperative education program.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 232 Air Traffic Controller students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0105, a specialization of Air Transportation (CIP 49.01), and leads most directly to the Air Traffic Controllers occupation (BLS SOC 53-2021).
About Air Traffic Controller programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center in a cooperative education program. Includes instruction in flight control, the use of radar and electronic scanning devices, plotting of flights, radio communication, interpretation of weather conditions affecting flights, flight instrumentation used by pilots, and maintenance of flight-control center or control-tower log books.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Air Traffic Controller program, part of the Air Transportation field, prepares individuals for a critical role in managing and controlling air traffic. This program is designed for those interested in ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations in the skies and at airports. Students will gain the technical knowledge and skills necessary for air-traffic management, often including additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center.
In this program, students will learn essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers flight control, radar usage, radio communication, weather interpretation, and maintenance of control logs, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in air traffic management.
Credentials awarded
What Air Traffic Controller graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree117 graduates / yr · 10 institutions50%
- Bachelor's degree72 graduates / yr · 6 institutions31%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year43 graduates / yr · 3 institutions19%
Graduates over time
Air Traffic Controller completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,191 |
| 2013 | 1,182 |
| 2014 | 979 |
| 2015 | 614 |
| 2016 | 503 |
| 2017 | 453 |
| 2018 | 420 |
| 2019 | 372 |
| 2020 | 261 |
| 2021 | 337 |
| 2022 | 225 |
| 2023 | 244 |
| 2024 | 186 |
| 2025 | 232 |
Top 19 institutions for Air Traffic Controller, 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 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 35 | 64% | $33,585 | $47,019 |
| 2 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 81% | — | — |
| 3 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 67% | $38,899 | $54,827 |
| 4 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 19 | 45% | — | — |
| 5 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor's | 18 | 60% | — | $46,193 |
| 6 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 25% | — | $41,028 |
| 7 | Community College of Beaver County Monaca, PAPublicAssociate's | 11 | 12% | — | $45,028 |
| 8 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 68% | $38,461 | $54,827 |
| 9 | Tulsa Community College Tulsa, OKPublicAssociate's | 10 | 28% | — | — |
| 10 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 39% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicAssociate's | 8 | 30% | — | $40,796 |
| 12 | Aims Community College Greeley, COPublicAssociate's | 8 | 40% | — | — |
| 13 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 67% | $17,632 | $39,228 |
| 14 | Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJPublicBachelor's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 33% | — | — |
| 16 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAssociate's | 4 | 19% | — | — |
| 17 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 41% | — | — |
| 18 | Lynn University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 52% | $38,343 | — |
| 19 | Schenectady County Community College Schenectady, NYPublicAssociate's | 1 | 32% | — | — |
* 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 15 states
Where Air Traffic Controller graduates come from. Each state links to all Air Transportation programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3 | 63 | Florida Institute of Technology35 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 2 | 41 | Tulsa Technology Center31 / yr |
| California | 2 | 24 | Mt San Antonio College19 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 18 | University of North Dakota18 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 16 | Middle Georgia State University16 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 11 | Community College of Beaver County11 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 10 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott10 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 9 | Green River College9 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 8 | University of Alaska Anchorage8 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 8 | Aims Community College8 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 8 | Lewis University8 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 8 | Thomas Edison State University8 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 4 | Community College of Baltimore County4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 3 | Sinclair Community College3 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | Schenectady County Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 53-2021, Air Traffic Controllers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Air Traffic Controller program can pursue careers primarily as Air Traffic Controllers, with additional opportunities as Airfield Operations Specialists. The job outlook indicates little to no change in growth at 1.2%, with approximately 2,200 annual openings and a median wage of $144,580. An Associate's degree is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0105
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Air Traffic Controllersprimary SOC 53-2021 | $148,080 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~2,200 | Associate's degree |
Airfield Operations Specialists SOC 53-2022 | $56,850 | +4.2% About as fast as average | ~1,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Air Traffic Controller 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
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
Tools and technology used
Other Air Transportation specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Air Transportation (CIP 49.01).
- Aeronautics/CIP 49.0101
Aviation/ Aerospace Science and Technology 6,507 graduates / yr89 institutions - 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 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 degree do I need to become an air traffic controller?+
An Associate's degree is typically required.
What skills are important for air traffic controllers?+
Key skills include active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for air traffic controllers?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 2,200 annual openings.
What is the median wage for air traffic controllers?+
The median wage for air traffic controllers is $144,580.
What is the CIP code for Air Traffic Controller?+
Air Traffic Controller is CIP 49.0105 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 prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center in a cooperative education program. Includes instruction in flight control, the use of radar and electronic scanning devices, plotting of flights, radio communication, interpretation of weather conditions affecting flights, flight instrumentation used by pilots, and maintenance of flight-control center or control-tower log books.
How many institutions offer Air Traffic Controller programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Air Traffic Controller graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 232 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% of all Air Transportation graduates.
How much do Air Traffic Controller graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Air Traffic Controllers occupation, which Air Traffic Controller most directly leads to, pays a median of $148,080 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Air Transportation field report median earnings of $46,193 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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