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Air Transportation at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,267/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)

Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

ROI 21.3x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #11 of 54 Air Transportation programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Air Transportation graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$584K	$580K	$536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.4x	21.3x	19.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.7x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	48%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	58	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,252

Out-of-state: $74,792 (7.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$16,452

40% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,914

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,042

36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,267/yr, roughly in line with the $44,286 national median for Air Transportation. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 21.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Air Transportation career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $46,267 far exceeding the $14,914 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

California State University-Los Angeles ranks #11 among 54 Air Transportation programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 36% earnings increase from $46,267 to $63,042 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Los Angeles

California State University-Los Angeles accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 21,478 students in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles →

Top Career Paths

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600/yr

Air traffic controllers $144,580/yr

Commercial pilots $122,670/yr

View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Air Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Los Angeles

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Air Transportation at California State University-Los Angeles?

At 58/100, California State University-Los Angeles's Air Transportation program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is California State University-Los Angeles one of the best schools for Air Transportation?

Among 54 Air Transportation programs, California State University-Los Angeles's #11 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →