Air Transportation at Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,669/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)
ROI 20.3x earnings multiple (12.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 of 54 Air Transportation programs Top 50%

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 $838K $823K $733K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.7x 20.3x 18.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.4x 12.2x 10.9x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 48% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,500
Out-of-state: $67,464 (12.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,836
-21% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,385
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,441
142% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $35,669/yr fall 19% below the $44,286 national median for Air Transportation. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 20.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,385 debt-to-$35,669 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #23 out of 54 programs, Louisiana Tech University's Air Transportation offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $35,669 to $86,441 over five years (142% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 7,819 in Ruston, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Louisiana Tech University →

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 Louisiana Tech University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Louisiana Tech University's Air Transportation program score?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Air Transportation graduates.
Why are Air Transportation earnings lower at Louisiana Tech University?
Lower starting pay at Louisiana Tech University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →