Aviation at Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Air Transportation

serving 9,153 students in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $35,008/yr fall 19% below the $42,988 national median for Aviation. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 41.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Aviation programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Aviation's career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

At $10,917 in median debt against $35,008 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #6 of 10 Aviation programs, Texas State Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $60,824 show a 74% jump from the $35,008 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Aviation offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
50
Score
52
High End
Earnings $35,008/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (67% shielded)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$614K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$14,384
Out-of-state: $23,684
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,917
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,824
74% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Aviation graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600 +3.9% 65%
Air traffic controllers $144,580 +1.2% 66%
Commercial pilots $122,670 +5.1% 76%
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
$226,600
+3.9% growth 65% AI-proof
Air traffic controllers
$144,580
+1.2% growth 66% AI-proof
Commercial pilots
$122,670
+5.1% growth 76% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Aviation Career Guide

What can you do with a Aviation credential from Texas State Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Aviation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Aviation Overview

Aviation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Texas State Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Aviation at Texas State Technical College?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Aviation is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Can you still earn well with Aviation from Texas State Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Texas State Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Aviation?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Aviation. For students weighing Texas State Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the AI uncertainty for Aviation careers?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Aviation careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Aviation graduates?
At 60,400 annual openings, Aviation has a large employment base. Texas State Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →