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# Best Transportation Colleges in the United States (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

This page ranks 53 Transportation programs in the United States by median earnings of Transportation graduates four years after completing. [Texas A&M University-College Station](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) leads the list at $124,645, followed by [Massachusetts Maritime Academy](/school/massachusetts-maritime-academy/majors/) at $119,916 and [Cal Poly Maritime Academy](/school/cal-poly-maritime-academy/majors/) at $117,176.

Across the 49 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $124,645 to $26,353, with a median of $81,394. For 4 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions make up 77% of the list, with 41 public and 12 private nonprofit schools. CUNY York College posts the lowest average net price at $4,456, while Ohio State University-Main Campus reports the highest six-year completion rate at 88%.

Arizona State University Campus Immersion ranks 21st on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

## The ranked list

Top 25 of 53 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Transportation Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $124,645 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
|  | [Texas A&M University-College Station](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) reports [$124,645 in median earnings](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, and ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marine Transportation (63 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marine Transportation ($124,645) |
| 2 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy · Buzzards Bay, MA | $119,916 | $21,582 | $8,757 | 94.7% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 74%](/school/massachusetts-maritime-academy/outcomes/), [Massachusetts Maritime Academy](/school/massachusetts-maritime-academy/majors/) posts median earnings of $119,916 for its Transportation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marine Transportation (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marine Transportation ($119,916) |
| 3 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA | $117,176 | $20,555 | $13,552 | 95.0% |
|  | [Cal Poly Maritime Academy](/school/cal-poly-maritime-academy/majors/) [admits 95% of applicants](/school/cal-poly-maritime-academy/admissions/) and its Transportation graduates earn a median of $117,176 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marine Transportation (66 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marine Transportation ($117,176) |
| 4 | SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY | $115,831 | $22,367 | $11,726 | 72.4% |
|  | [SUNY Maritime College](/school/suny-maritime-college/majors/) carries an [average net price of $22,367,](/school/suny-maritime-college/cost/) and its Transportation graduates report median earnings of $115,831 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marine Transportation (167 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marine Transportation ($115,831) |
| 5 | United States Merchant Marine Academy · Kings Point, NY | $107,654 | $6,174 | $1,773 | 34.2% |
|  | [United States Merchant Marine Academy](/school/united-states-merchant-marine-academy/majors/) posts an [admission rate of 34%](/school/united-states-merchant-marine-academy/admissions/) and its Transportation graduates earn a median of $107,654 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marine Transportation (113 graduates) |
| 6 | University of North Dakota · Grand Forks, ND | $104,472 | $18,551 | $13,126 | 76.9% |
|  | [University of North Dakota](/school/university-of-north-dakota/majors/) reports [median earnings of $104,472](/school/university-of-north-dakota/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 60%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (298 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($104,472) |
| 7 | Minnesota State University-Mankato · Mankato, MN | $103,858 | $19,139 | $12,339 | 88.4% |
|  | [Minnesota State University-Mankato](/school/minnesota-state-university-mankato/majors/) shows an [average net price of $19,139,](/school/minnesota-state-university-mankato/cost/) and its Transportation graduates earn a median of $103,858 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($103,858) |
| 8 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus · Portales, NM | $103,617 | $4,904 | $3,663 | 91.7% |
|  | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $103,617 for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $4,904. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (30 graduates) |
| 9 | Maine Maritime Academy · Castine, ME | $103,417 | $23,414 | $9,511 | 54.1% |
|  | [Maine Maritime Academy](/school/maine-maritime-academy/majors/) [admits 54% of applicants](/school/maine-maritime-academy/admissions/) and its Transportation graduates report median earnings of $103,417 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marine Transportation (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marine Transportation ($103,417) |
| 10 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $102,096 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
|  | [Liberty University](/school/liberty-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $102,096](/school/liberty-university/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, and ranks 79th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (440 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($102,096) |
| 11 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $99,701 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
|  | [Ohio University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 65%](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/outcomes/), and its Transportation graduates earn a median of $99,701 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (33 graduates) |
| 12 | Middle Georgia State University · Macon, GA | $93,627 | $12,361 | $10,668 | 99.7% |
|  | Middle Georgia State University posts median earnings of $93,627 for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 100%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (114 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($93,627) |
| 13 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $91,648 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
|  | [Eastern Michigan University](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $91,648](/school/eastern-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 46%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (31 graduates) |
| 14 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $91,081 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 77%](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/admissions/), [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/majors/) ranks 14th on this list and posts an average net price of $15,300. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (45 graduates) |
| 15 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $89,564 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
|  | [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $5,263](/school/western-michigan-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 353rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (214 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($89,564) |
| 16 | Lewis University · Romeoville, IL | $87,197 | $17,028 | $10,382 | 71.3% |
|  | A private nonprofit university, [Lewis University](/school/lewis-university/majors/) [graduates 67% of its students within six years](/school/lewis-university/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $87,197 for its Transportation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (104 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($87,197) |
| 17 | Everglades University · Boca Raton, FL | $86,730 | $27,371 | $25,556 | 81.5% |
|  | Everglades University ranks 17th on this list, with an average net price of $27,371 and an admission rate of 81%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (64 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($86,730) |
| 18 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $86,161 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 49.9% |
|  | [Purdue University-Main Campus](/school/purdue-university-main-campus/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 83%](/school/purdue-university-main-campus/outcomes/) and median earnings of $86,161 for its Transportation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (115 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($86,161) |
| 19 | University of Dubuque · Dubuque, IA | $86,081 | $23,386 | $18,106 | 88.6% |
|  | With an admission rate of 89%, University of Dubuque reports an average net price of $18,106 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 1010th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($86,081) |
| 20 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $85,147 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
|  | [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) ranks 20th on this list, with [median earnings of $85,147](/school/kansas-state-university/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 71%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (56 graduates) |
| 21 | Saint Louis University · Saint Louis, MO | $83,903 | $24,398 | $22,501 | 75.0% |
|  | A private nonprofit university, [Saint Louis University](/school/saint-louis-university/majors/) [admits 75% of applicants](/school/saint-louis-university/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $24,398. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (33 graduates) |
| 22 | Westminster University · Salt Lake City, UT | $83,574 | $27,094 | $22,972 | 66.6% |
|  | Westminster University graduates 64% of its students within six years and posts median earnings of $83,574 for its Transportation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($83,574) |
| 23 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $83,323 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
|  | [Louisiana Tech University](/school/louisiana-tech-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $7,676](/school/louisiana-tech-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 428th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (46 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($83,323) |
| 24 | Florida Institute of Technology · Melbourne, FL | $83,243 | $35,639 | $29,108 | 57.7% |
|  | [Florida Institute of Technology](/school/florida-institute-of-technology/majors/) reports [median earnings of $83,243](/school/florida-institute-of-technology/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 58%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (89 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($83,243) |
| 25 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $81,394 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
|  | [Southern Illinois University-Carbondale](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/majors/) reports [median earnings of $81,394](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/outcomes/) for its Transportation graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 62%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Air Transportation (150 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Air Transportation ($81,394) |

Continue by region[Best Transportation Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-transportation-colleges-in-the-south/)

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Transportation graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure is the median earnings of federally aided Transportation graduates who were working and not enrolled, measured after completing. For 4 of the 53 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 49 schools with a reported completion median. Texas A&M University-College Station leads Massachusetts Maritime Academy by $4,729, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $98,292.

## Job market context in the United States

The occupations linked to Transportation in the United States include such as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, Light Truck Drivers, and Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators. The median annual wage across those occupations is $58,925, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $48,047. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 4.4% higher, with 489,900 projected openings a year, or about 8,014 openings a year for every hundred graduates, suggesting more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses the median earnings of Transportation graduates four years after completing, which is a separate measure from the occupational wage and demand figures described here.

## Related rankings

-   Transportation Colleges for Social Mobility