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Aviation
What you'll do in college
This category focuses on aviation science and aeronautics. Aviation students combine flight training with meteorology, aerodynamics, and navigation to earn their pilot licenses. The path is intensely disciplined, structured, and focused on high-stakes, practical application.
What you'll do after college
Aviation graduates typically become commercial, corporate, or cargo pilots, or work in aviation operations, air traffic control, and aircraft maintenance. Pay for commercial pilots rises significantly with seniority and flight hours.
Famous graduates
- Sully Sullenberger — Airline captain famous for the "Miracle on the Hudson"; B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted earnings
By SAT median
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted earnings
Earnings vs. selectivity rank
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted earnings
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | Earnings | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation | 79 | 5,214 | 83% / 17% | 11% | $74,041 | 95% |
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology | 13 | 1,305 | 84% / 16% | 12% | $78,342 | 94% |
| Aeronautics | 6 | 855 | 81% / 19% | 20% | $66,023 | 96% |
| Aviation Management | 28 | 744 | 81% / 19% | 6% | $70,673 | 95% |
| Aviation | 25 | 637 | 83% / 17% | 4% | $69,575 | 96% |
| Commercial Aviation | 1 | 290 | 89% / 11% | 9% | $91,399 | 99% |
| Professional Pilot | 5 | 221 | 89% / 11% | 6% | $75,347 | 94% |
| Flight | 2 | 196 | 78% / 22% | 28% | $79,565 | 95% |
| Aviation Science | 6 | 181 | 83% / 17% | 3% | $65,880 | 97% |
| Aviation Flight | 8 | 149 | 89% / 11% | 15% | $72,365 | 95% |
| Aeronautical Engineering Technology | 2 | 104 | 81% / 19% | 13% | $81,074 | 96% |
| Aviation Technology | 2 | 103 | 79% / 21% | 7% | $79,142 | 96% |
| Aeronautical Management Technology | 1 | 88 | 82% / 18% | 5% | $74,848 | 96% |
| Professional Flight | 2 | 70 | 87% / 13% | 0% | $57,297 | 100% |
| Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew | 3 | 63 | 84% / 16% | 0% | $84,653 | 90% |
| Aviation/Airway Management and Operations | 4 | 50 | 86% / 14% | 8% | $78,128 | 95% |
| Air Traffic Control | 3 | 46 | 67% / 33% | 15% | $84,665 | 96% |
| Air and Space Operations Technology | 1 | 31 | 48% / 52% | 3% | $71,445 | 100% |
| Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology | 2 | 25 | 84% / 16% | 36% | $73,664 | 100% |
| Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 1 | 22 | 95% / 5% | 0% | $91,399 | 99% |
| Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician | 2 | 16 | 94% / 6% | 12% | $78,922 | 96% |
| Air Traffic Management | 1 | 6 | 33% / 67% | 0% | $83,811 | 94% |
| Space Operations | 1 | 4 | 25% / 75% | 0% | $73,016 | |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology | 1 | 3 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $66,585 | |
| Aviation Sciences | 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $68,712 | |
| Air Traffic Controller | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $64,284 | |
| Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $71,815 | |
| Flight Education | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $91,399 | 99% |