Which are the best colleges for becoming an air traffic controller in the United States? We rank the top schools for this highly specialized degree.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages approximately 45,000 aircraft carrying over 2.9 million passengers daily. Air traffic controllers, also known as air traffic control experts, direct and instruct pilots while performing the flight. The Federal Aviation Administration also monitors the weather and traffic conditions and redirects planes as needed.
Air traffic controllers earn a higher than average median salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the average annual pay for air traffic controllers is $129,750.
However, due to the little or no change of job growth from 2021 to 2031 in air traffic controller jobs, air traffic control degrees are less popular than other aviation degrees. Because of that, there are only a handful of two- and four-year colleges and universities that offer air traffic control degrees.
Our ranking of the best schools for getting a degree in air traffic control looks at colleges and universities that offer an associate or bachelor’s degree in air traffic control. We’ve put together a list of the ten best community colleges and four-year universities that offer the highest caliber of air traffic control training and curriculum.
Deciding which air traffic control program is right for you can often be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to start. To help you out, we’ve developed an aviation program ranking that weighs the degrees awarded.
We’ve used the following criteria to develop this ranking:
Earning an associate degree in the field is the quickest route to becoming a professional in air traffic control. Students at this degree level gain knowledge of federal government and air traffic control regulations.
This two-year degree offers students general education and core-specific courses, such as Air Traffic Control Methods, Aviation Meteorology, Airport Administration, Aviation Management, Aviation Safety, and the Aviation Industry.
Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Other community colleges, however, may require students to submit a letter of intent. Graduates will be prepared to transfer to the FAA Academy after graduation, where they will train to become FAA air traffic controllers.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for students who want to become FAA air traffic controllers. This four-year air traffic control degree proves a student’s knowledge and abilities to manage the air traffic control system as it operates in the United States.
Coursework for the bachelor’s degrees in air traffic control will require student involvement in aviation labs and control systems, unmanned aerial systems, and computer-based simulation training in addition to general education and major-specific courses.
Courses in the bachelor’s degree in air traffic control include Introduction to the Air Traffic Tower Controllers, Basics of Air Traffic, Human Factors in Aviation Safety, and Aviation Weather.
Graduates with higher degree levels must continue their professional pilot’s training at the FAA academy like associate degree graduates, albeit their training duration may be shorter. Students will be prepared to take their pre-employment tests and begin on-the-job training once they finish their academy training.
A high school diploma or GED, or submission of any college credentials showing 24 credits or more earned are additional admission requirements. In some circumstances, the candidate must also write a letter of intent.
Bottom Line: Earning an associate degree in air traffic control can lead to a career in the field, but a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for entry into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
62%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/23
University of North Dakota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of North Dakota is one of the largest public universities in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A leading national university in the United States, UND is one of the best overall air traffic controller schools.
UND offers a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics in Air Traffic Management designed to prepare students for various careers involved in air traffic control. The air traffic controller program is #1 in North Dakota. The University of North Dakota awarded 33 bachelor’s degrees in air traffic control during the 2020–2021 academic year.
Learn more about UND’s Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics in Air Traffic Management.
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
66%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/26
Florida Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, is among the best private universities for students seeking an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) school.
Florida Institute of Technology offers an Associate of Arts in Air Traffic Control that has recently graduated 17 air traffic control students. It is one of the most popular higher education institutions in Florida. Students in this associate degree program are trained to become part of the National Airspace System.
Learn more about FIT’s Associate of Arts in Air Traffic Control.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
30%
Student body
8K
University of Alaska Anchorage’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university with roughly 12,000 students, making it one of the most prominent public universities nationwide. Due to UUA’s reputation for academic excellence, it is one of Alaska’s top-ranking schools.
UAA’s Associate of Applied Science in Air Traffic Control has recently awarded seven air traffic control degrees. The FAA has recognized this AAS degree as one of 36 air traffic control programs participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). Students learn from former FAA air traffic controllers.
Learn more about UAA’s Air Traffic Control AAS degree.
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
60%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/24
Lewis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Lewis University, Illinois’s most popular higher education institution, offers several undergraduate programs. It is a private Lasallian university located in Romeoville, Illinois.
Thirteen students have recently graduated from LU’s Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Control Management. Students will develop soft and technical skills necessary for the FAA Academy. Students will study in LU’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Learn more about LU’s Air Traffic Control BS degree.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
22%
Student body
7K
Middle Georgia State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Middle Georgia State University is located in Macon, Georgia. It is a top-ranked public university in the United States. Despite being a public university, the campus population is smaller than other public schools.
The school’s Air Traffic Management degree program has recently awarded seven air traffic control degrees, making it the #1 popular air traffic control institution in Georgia.
Learn more about MGA’s AAS in Air Traffic Management.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
16%
Student body
10K
Community College of Baltimore County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Considered Maryland’s most progressive community college, Community College of Baltimore County offers multiple associate and certificate programs that prepare students for transfer and career advancement. CCBC is #1 in the state.
CCBC’s Associate of Applied Science in Air Traffic Control granted nine air traffic control degrees in the past academic year. The curriculum is designed to train students for work in Air Route Traffic Control Centers and other airport control towers.
Learn more about CCBC’s AAS in Air Traffic Control.
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach is focused on aviation and aerospace degrees and training programs. It is a private institution in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Embry-Riddle - Daytona is among the best schools to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management degree from. The degree has recently awarded 34 students with air traffic control degrees. Graduates have explored a variety of co-ops and internships with airline, aviation, and air transportation organizations.
Note that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has another branch in Prescott, Arizona that offers the same bachelor’s degree in air traffic management.
Learn more about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach’s BS in Air Traffic Management.
Tuition + fees
$26K
Graduation
43%
Student body
1K
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
A university specializing in aviation and engineering education, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is based out of East Elmhurst, New York. Due to its educational focus on aviation, it’s one of the best universities to obtain an air traffic control degree from.
Vaughn’s Associate in Air Traffic Control program helped 96% of its graduates pursue jobs and advanced degrees in the field. The program offers online courses. Students will have a hands-on learning experience using the most cutting-edge and sophisticated technologies and research in the field.
Learn more about VCAT’s Air Traffic Control Program.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Student body
4K
Thomas Edison State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Thomas Edison State University, located in Trenton, New Jersey, is one of the state’s 11 senior public institutions of higher education. TESU has been acknowledged as one of the best schools for online learning. It’s also one of the few four-year colleges to offer an air traffic control degree.
TESU’s Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Control is one of the most selective degrees, accepting only applicants with an FAA Control Tower Operator certification.
Learn more about TESU’s Air Traffic Control BS.
The most popular degrees related to air traffic control are General Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology, with a combined total of over 5,000 graduates annually. Degree programs in these majors allow students to study aviation, including airline operations and education on aviation systems’ commercial, technical, and general facets.
Degree programs in Airline, Commercial, and Professional Pilot and Flight Crew have an average of 2,000 graduates annually. These majors use technical knowledge and skills to educate students to operate commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate, and rescue fixed-wing aircraft.
Coming in third are Aviation and Airway Management and Operations majors, with over 1,800 annual graduates. These degree programs study the business and managerial facets of the aviation sector. Students explore courses in aviation-related coursework as well as business courses in marketing, finance, accounting, and economics.
Major | Average Annual Graduates |
Air Transportation | 300 |
Airline Flight Attendant | 40 |
Flight Instructor | 30 |