TRADES
+4.7%Construction
Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and masonry — the skilled trades building America's infrastructure, with union wages and persistent labor shortages driving strong demand.
TRADES
Transportation
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Transportation
Aviation, logistics, maritime, and commercial transport — technical programs for careers moving goods and people across the country and around the world. Graduates earn a national median of $85,825 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 547 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 35,751 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $44,063
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $85,825
- Colleges Offering
- 547
- Graduates / Year
- 35,751
- Specializations
- 3
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $18,981
Is a Transportation Degree Right for You?
$85,825
Median earnings · 4yr
+3.9%
10yr job growth
3
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~1.4
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $85,825 against an estimated $75,924 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Transportation Majors Earn?
Transportation graduates start at a median $44,063 one year out and reach $85,825 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 547 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$44,063
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$85,825
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$85,147
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Transportation specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $117,011/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $85,825/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$85,825
Lowest
$85,825
Median
$117,011
Highest
What Can You Do With a Transportation Degree?
Career Paths for Transportation Graduates
Transportation connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Airline Pilot leads in median earnings at $232,140/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Airline Pilot
Bachelor's degree
$232,140
↗ +3.9% growth
Air Traffic Controllers
Associate's degree
$148,080
↗ +1.2% growth
Commercial Pilot
Postsecondary nondegree award
$123,220
↗ +5.1% growth
Ship Engineers
Postsecondary nondegree award
$109,530
↗ +1.6% growth
Transportation Managers
High school diploma or equivalent
$107,230
↗ +6.1% growth
Ship Captains & Mates
Postsecondary nondegree award
$92,460
↗ +0.5% growth
Crane and Tower Operators
High school diploma or equivalent
$68,080
↗ +3.0% growth
Career/Technical Education Teachers
Bachelor's degree
$63,820
↗ +0.7% growth
Transportation Specializations
Transportation breaks into 3 specializations. Earnings range widely from $85,825 to $117,011 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Transportation
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Transportation graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Daytona Beach, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
57.9%
Net price/yr
$18,725
Earnings 10yr
$84,131
Grad rate
47%
2
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
64.8%
Net price/yr
$41,272
Earnings 10yr
$84,131
Grad rate
47%
3
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
4
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND · Public
Acceptance
76.9%
Net price/yr
$18,551
Earnings 10yr
$63,552
Grad rate
48%
5
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
Acceptance
69.1%
Net price/yr
$13,359
Earnings 10yr
$48,541
Grad rate
50%
6
Arkansas State University-Newport
Newport, AR · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$8,444
Earnings 10yr
$41,524
Grad rate
36%
7
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL · Public
Acceptance
86.9%
Net price/yr
$13,297
Earnings 10yr
$53,390
Grad rate
51%
8
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
Acceptance
49.9%
Net price/yr
$14,600
Earnings 10yr
$72,424
Grad rate
77%
9
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · Public
Acceptance
84.6%
Net price/yr
$15,273
Earnings 10yr
$53,562
Grad rate
58%
10
Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,656
Earnings 10yr
$29,079
Grad rate
4%
11
Jones Technical Institute
Jacksonville, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$25,462
Earnings 10yr
$24,576
Grad rate
80%
12
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Prescott, AZ · Nonprofit
Acceptance
76.6%
Net price/yr
$40,287
Earnings 10yr
$84,131
Grad rate
47%
13
Advanced Technology Institute
Virginia Beach, VA · For-Profit
Acceptance
53.5%
Net price/yr
$16,358
Earnings 10yr
$46,342
Grad rate
67%
14
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
57.7%
Net price/yr
$35,639
Earnings 10yr
$43,137
Grad rate
22%
15
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Stillwater, OK · Public
Acceptance
75%
Net price/yr
$17,447
Earnings 10yr
$57,413
Grad rate
57%
16
Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$26,409
Earnings 10yr
$31,102
Grad rate
47%
17
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute-Allentown
Allentown, PA · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$21,747
Earnings 10yr
$31,102
Grad rate
47%
18
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,299
Earnings 10yr
$38,479
Grad rate
26%
19
Gateway Community and Technical College
Florence, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,725
Earnings 10yr
$36,147
Grad rate
24%
20
Ashland Community and Technical College
Ashland, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,717
Earnings 10yr
$34,504
Grad rate
28%
Ranked by number of Transportation graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Transportation Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Transportation degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Transportation degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Transportation Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth put Transportation above most majors on the key financial metrics. The 4 strengths and 0 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS, not editorial scoring.
PROS
- Strong median salary Graduates earn a national median of $85,825 four years after graduation, above most major categories.
- Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +6.1% job growth over the next decade per BLS data.
- Wide availability Offered at 547 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $117,011, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
Transportation Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Transportation graduates earn?
Transportation graduates earn a national median of $85,825 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Transportation degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Transportation degree holders is $44,063 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Transportation degree?
Transportation degree holders work in a range of careers. Airline Pilot is one of the top roles by median wage ($232,140/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Transportation?
547 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Transportation, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Transportation degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $85,825 and an average net price of roughly $18,981/yr across institutions offering this major, a Transportation degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Transportation degree?
Transportation programs range from two-year associate degrees to four-year bachelor's programs. Many students also enter through apprenticeships, which can provide an accelerated path into the field.
What skills do employers look for in Transportation graduates?
Employers hiring Transportation graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, hands-on problem-solving, and equipment operation. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Transportation graduates?
With a median salary of $85,825, graduate study in Transportation can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Transportation graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Transportation graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +2.8% projected growth across related occupations. Transportation Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +6.1%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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