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Air Transportation at University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,362/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)

Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

ROI 4.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #42 of 54 Air Transportation programs

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	$701K	$692K	$627K
Earnings Multiple	4.4x	4.3x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	48%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$160,260

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$93,000

42% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,375

8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$73,760

97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Dubuque's Air Transportation graduates start at $37,362/yr, trailing the $44,286 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

An earnings multiple of 4.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,375 represents roughly 8 months of the $37,362 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #42 of 54 Air Transportation programs, University of Dubuque falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $73,760 show a 97% jump from the $37,362 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Dubuque

A 87% acceptance rate means University of Dubuque is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 1,473 students in Dubuque, IA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $93,000 over four years represents a 42% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Dubuque →

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 University of Dubuque

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Air Transportation at University of Dubuque?

A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Air Transportation. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Can you still earn well with Air Transportation from University of Dubuque?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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