Program Analysis
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Air Transportation program produces graduates earning $44,063/yr — within striking distance of the $44,286 national average for this field.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Air Transportation programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Air Transportation's typical career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,750 in median debt clears quickly against $44,063 in annual earnings.
At #26 of 54 Air Transportation programs, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $66,893 show a 52% jump from the $44,063 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.