Best institutions to study Aviation/Airway Management and Operations
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the management of aviation industry operations and services.
72 U.S. institutions graduated 2,098 Aviation/Airway Management and Operations students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0104, 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 Aviation/Airway Management and Operations programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the management of aviation industry operations and services. Includes instruction in airport operations, ground traffic direction, ground support and flightline operations, passenger and cargo operations, flight safety and security operations, aviation industry regulation, and related business aspects of managing aviation enterprises.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Aviation/Airway Management and Operations program prepares students for careers in the aviation industry by equipping them with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to manage aviation operations and services. This program is ideal for individuals interested in overseeing airport operations, flight safety, and the logistics of air transportation.
Learn more about Aviation/Airway Management and Operations →
Students will gain core skills in areas such as transportation management, customer service, and administration. Coursework includes airport operations, ground traffic direction, and aviation industry regulations, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of air transportation.
Credentials awarded
What Aviation/Airway Management and Operations graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,079 graduates / yr · 44 institutions51%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year680 graduates / yr · 11 institutions32%
- Associate's degree160 graduates / yr · 21 institutions7.6%
- Master's degree131 graduates / yr · 8 institutions6.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate24 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Aviation/Airway Management and Operations completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,753 |
| 2013 | 1,904 |
| 2014 | 1,717 |
| 2015 | 1,526 |
| 2016 | 1,382 |
| 2017 | 1,420 |
| 2018 | 1,464 |
| 2019 | 1,480 |
| 2020 | 1,359 |
| 2021 | 1,856 |
| 2022 | 1,762 |
| 2023 | 1,813 |
| 2024 | 1,740 |
| 2025 | 2,098 |
Top 50 institutions for Aviation/Airway Management and Operations, 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 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 472 | 39% | — | — |
| 2 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 191 | 37% | — | — |
| 3 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicBachelor's | 122 | 62% | — | $44,063 |
| 4 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 121 | 82% | — | $35,856 |
| 5 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 98 | 67% | $17,632 | $39,228 |
| 6 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 96 | 65% | $28,911 | $50,629 |
| 7 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 90 | 21% | $21,266 | $54,827 |
| 8 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor's | 59 | 45% | — | $56,402 |
| 9 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor's | 55 | 60% | — | $46,193 |
| 10 | Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology Flushing, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster's | 53 | 39% | $40,821 | $32,591 |
| 11 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 49 | 53% | — | $41,960 |
| 12 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 48 | 88% | — | $40,102 |
| 13 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor's | 34 | 54% | — | $40,025 |
| 14 | Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NMPublicBachelor's | 33 | 45% | — | $88,085 |
| 15 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 35% | $10,334 | $31,376 |
| 16 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor's | 28 | 43% | — | $40,112 |
| 17 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 54% | — | $38,283 |
| 18 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 46% | — | — |
| 19 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 40% | — | — |
| 20 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 32% | — | $30,349 |
| 21 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 64% | — | $35,669 |
| 22 | National American University - Rapid City Rapid City, SDPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 0% | $22,086 | — |
| 23 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicMaster's | 19 | 54% | — | $43,909 |
| 24 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UTPublicBachelor's | 19 | 61% | — | — |
| 25 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor's | 18 | 46% | — | $40,846 |
| 26 | Lynn University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 52% | $38,343 | — |
| 27 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 48% | — | — |
| 28 | Delta State University Cleveland, MSPublicMaster's | 15 | 48% | — | $32,537 |
| 29 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 15 | 65% | — | — |
| 30 | Cypress College Cypress, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 31 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 48% | — | — |
| 32 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 36% | — | — |
| 33 | Texas A&M University - Central Texas Killeen, TXPublicBachelor's | 14 | — | — | — |
| 34 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 12 | 64% | $33,585 | $47,019 |
| 35 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 51% | $25,813 | $45,875 |
| 36 | Texas Southern University Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 12 | 22% | — | — |
| 37 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 12 | 50% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Dubuque Dubuque, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 40% | $21,324 | $37,362 |
| 39 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 40 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicMaster's | 9 | 59% | — | $33,142 |
| 41 | California Aeronautical University Bakersfield, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 9 | 30% | $38,309 | $52,656 |
| 42 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 43 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 8 | 33% | — | — |
| 44 | Marywood University Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 72% | $21,769 | — |
| 45 | Polk State College Winter Haven, FLPublicAssociate's | 7 | 35% | — | $50,499 |
| 46 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAssociate's | 7 | 43% | — | — |
| 47 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 25% | — | $41,028 |
| 48 | Athens State University Athens, ALPublicBachelor's | 6 | — | — | — |
| 49 | Hampton University Hampton, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 57% | $34,268 | — |
| 50 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 62% | $26,940 | $48,989 |
* 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 33 states & territories
Where Aviation/Airway Management and Operations 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. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 6.1% and approximately 18,500 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $102,010, typically requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0104
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 Aviation/Airway Management and Operations 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).
- 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 - 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 degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.1% and about 18,500 annual openings.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager, among other roles in the aviation industry.
What is the CIP code for Aviation/Airway Management and Operations?+
Aviation/Airway Management and Operations is CIP 49.0104 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 the management of aviation industry operations and services. Includes instruction in airport operations, ground traffic direction, ground support and flightline operations, passenger and cargo operations, flight safety and security operations, aviation industry regulation, and related business aspects of managing aviation enterprises.
How many institutions offer Aviation/Airway Management and Operations programs?+
72 U.S. institutions reported Aviation/Airway Management and Operations graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states & territories, awarding 2,098 credentials in the year. That is 17.6% of all Air Transportation graduates.
How much do Aviation/Airway Management and Operations graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers occupation, which Aviation/Airway Management and Operations 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 $40,876 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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