UnisHub University Compass

Aviation Management and Operations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for students aiming to lead within the dynamic aviation sector, this program equips learners with the technical expertise and strategic insight needed to oversee complex aviation operations. It emphasizes real-world application across airport systems, regulatory compliance, and service delivery, preparing graduates for leadership roles in a globally interconnected industry.

  • Airport Operations Management: Focuses on the coordination and oversight of daily airport functions, including runway usage, terminal services, and infrastructure maintenance to ensure operational efficiency and safety.
  • Ground Traffic and Flightline Coordination: Teaches procedures for directing ground vehicles, aircraft movement, and personnel on airfield surfaces to prevent collisions and maintain flow during high-traffic periods.
  • Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Flightline Operations: Covers the operation, maintenance, and scheduling of specialized equipment used in aircraft servicing, such as baggage loaders, fuel trucks, and tug vehicles.
  • Passenger and Cargo Handling Systems: Explores the logistical processes involved in boarding, baggage processing, customs clearance, and freight management to ensure timely, secure, and compliant movement of people and goods.
  • Aviation Safety and Security Protocols: Provides in-depth training on risk mitigation strategies, emergency response planning, threat assessment, and compliance with national and international security standards.
  • Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance: Examines federal, international, and industry-specific regulations governing air transport, including those set by the FAA, ICAO, and other governing bodies.
  • Business Administration in Aviation Enterprises: Integrates core business principles—finance, human resources, marketing, and strategic planning—within the unique context of aviation organizations and service providers.

Aviation Management and Operations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

1,786
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
71
Universities & Colleges
1
Career Pathways

Aviation Management and Operations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Aviation Management and Operations degrees, including Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 213,000 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers 11-3071 $102,010 $61,200 - $180,590 213,000 $49.05

Aviation Management and Operations Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $77,390 in Mississippi to $150,590 in Delaware—a 95% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 213,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Aviation Management and Operations by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 71 institutions offering Aviation Management and Operations programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Aviation Management and Operations is found at Florida State College (FSCJ), Jacksonville (216 graduates), Broward College (BC) (156 graduates), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (122 graduates), Lewis University (102 graduates), and Auburn University (AU) (96 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,786 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
Florida State College (FSCJ)
Associate's
Other Award
216 Jacksonville, Florida Public fscj.edu
Broward College (BC)
Associate's
Other Award
156 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Public broward.edu
Southern Illinois University
Bachelor's
122 Carbondale, Illinois Public siu.edu
Lewis University
Bachelor's
102 Romeoville, Illinois Private lewisu.edu
Auburn University (AU)
Bachelor's
Other Award
96 Auburn, Alabama Public auburn.edu
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
78 Flushing, New York Private vaughn.edu
Liberty University
Bachelor's
66 Lynchburg, Virginia Private liberty.edu
Ohio State University
Bachelor's
65 Columbus, Ohio Public osu.edu
University of North Dakota (UND)
Bachelor's
64 Grand Forks, North Dakota Public und.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
45 Daytona Beach, Florida Private worldwide.erau.edu
CUNY York College
Bachelor's
Master's
39 Jamaica, New York Public york.cuny.edu
Indiana State University (ISU)
Bachelor's
38 Terre Haute, Indiana Public indstate.edu
Farmingdale State College
Bachelor's
38 Farmingdale, New York Public farmingdale.edu
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU)
Bachelor's
33 Portales, New Mexico Public enmu.edu
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
Master's
32 Murfreesboro, Tennessee Public mtsu.edu
Florida Institute of Technology
Associate's
Bachelor's
32 Melbourne, Florida Private fit.edu
University of Central Missouri (UCM)
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
31 Warrensburg, Missouri Public ucmo.edu
Central Washington University (CWU)
Bachelor's
31 Ellensburg, Washington Public cwu.edu
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR)
Bachelor's
30 Bayamon, Puerto Rico Private bayamon.inter.edu
Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
28 Melbourne, Florida Private fit.edu
Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech)
Bachelor's
27 Ruston, Louisiana Public latech.edu
Miami Dade College (MDC)
Associate's
Other Award
25 Miami, Florida Public mdc.edu
Eastern Michigan University (EMU)
Bachelor's
25 Ypsilanti, Michigan Public emich.edu
Jacksonville University (JU)
Bachelor's
Master's
21 Jacksonville, Florida Private ju.edu
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
20 Indianapolis, Indiana Public ivytech.edu
Texas Southern University (TSU)
Bachelor's
20 Houston, Texas Public tsu.edu
Cypress College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
18 Cypress, California Public cypresscollege.edu
Glendale Community College (GCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
18 Glendale, California Public glendale.edu
Ohio University (OHIO)
Bachelor's
18 Athens, Ohio Public ohio.edu
National American University (NAU)
Bachelor's
18 Rapid City, South Dakota Private national.edu
University of Dubuque (UD)
Bachelor's
17 Dubuque, Iowa Private dbq.edu
Texas A&M University (TAMUCT)
Bachelor's
16 Killeen, Texas Public tamuct.edu
Delta State University (DSU)
Master's
14 Cleveland, Mississippi Public deltastate.edu
Hallmark University
Bachelor's
14 San Antonio, Texas Private hallmarkuniversity.edu
Lynn University
Bachelor's
12 Boca Raton, Florida Private lynn.edu
Orange Coast College (OCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
11 Costa Mesa, California Public orangecoastcollege.edu
San Diego Miramar College
Associate's
Other Award
11 San Diego, California Public sdmiramar.edu
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC)
Associate's
Other Award
10 Belleville, Illinois Public swic.edu
Middle Georgia State University (MGA)
Other Award
9 Macon, Georgia Public mga.edu
Southern Utah University (SUU)
Bachelor's
8 Cedar City, Utah Public suu.edu
Utah State University (USU)
Master's
8 Logan, Utah Public usu.edu
California Baptist University (CBU)
Bachelor's
7 Riverside, California Private calbaptist.edu
San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC)
Associate's
Other Award
7 San Bernardino, California Public valleycollege.edu
Baylor University
Bachelor's
7 Waco, Texas Private baylor.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
Master's
6 Prescott, Arizona Private prescott.erau.edu
Polk State College
Associate's
6 Winter Haven, Florida Public polk.edu
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Bachelor's
6 Manchester, New Hampshire Private snhu.edu
Mercer County Community College (MCCC)
Associate's
6 West Windsor, New Jersey Public mccc.edu
Hinds Community College
Associate's
5 Raymond, Mississippi Public hindscc.edu
Hampton University
Bachelor's
5 Hampton, Virginia Private hamptonu.edu
Southeastern University (SEU)
Bachelor's
4 Lakeland, Florida Private seu.edu
Capitol Technology University
Doctorate (Research)
4 Laurel, Maryland Private captechu.edu
North Shore Community College (NSCC)
Associate's
4 Danvers, Massachusetts Public northshore.edu
Rocky Mountain College (RMC)
Bachelor's
4 Billings, Montana Private rocky.edu
Marywood University
Bachelor's
4 Scranton, Pennsylvania Private marywood.edu
Highline College
Residency
Other Award
4 Des Moines, Washington Public highline.edu
West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech)
Bachelor's
3 Beckley, West Virginia Public wvutech.edu
Sacramento City College (SCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
2 Sacramento, California Public scc.losrios.edu
Academy College
Associate's
2 Bloomington, Minnesota Private academycollege.edu
Dutchess Community College (DCC)
Associate's
2 Poughkeepsie, New York Public sunydutchess.edu
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
Associate's
2 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Public ccac.edu
Community College of Beaver County (CCBC)
Associate's
2 Monaca, Pennsylvania Public ccbc.edu
LeTourneau University (LETU)
Bachelor's
2 Longview, Texas Private letu.edu
Walla Walla University (WWU)
Bachelor's
2 College Place, Washington Private wallawalla.edu
California Aeronautical University (CAU)
Bachelor's
Master's
2 Bakersfield, California Private calaero.edu
Athens State University
Bachelor's
1 Athens, Alabama Public athens.edu
Holmes Community College
Associate's
1 Goodman, Mississippi Public holmescc.edu
University of Mount Olive (UMO)
Bachelor's
1 Mount Olive, North Carolina Private umo.edu
Charleston Southern University (CSU)
Bachelor's
1 Charleston, South Carolina Private charlestonsouthern.edu
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
Associate's
1 Baltimore, Maryland Public ccbcmd.edu
Indiana Wesleyan University
Bachelor's
1 Marion, Indiana Private indwes.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Aviation Management and Operations programs

How much can I earn with a Aviation Management and Operations degree?

Salaries for Aviation Management and Operations graduates vary by role and location. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn a median of $102,010 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $150,590 compared to $77,390 in Mississippi. Approximately 213,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Aviation Management and Operations programs?

Currently 71 accredited institutions offer Aviation Management and Operations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Florida State College (FSCJ), Jacksonville (216 graduates), Broward College (BC) (156 graduates), and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (122 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Aviation Management and Operations growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,611 in 2010 to 1,786 in 2023-24. This represents a 11% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Aviation Management and Operations degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 213,000 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Related Transportation Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Transportation field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.