Air traffic controller education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be an air traffic controller?

You need a minimum of an associate's degree to be considered for air traffic control training. The type and level of a college degree can vary as long as they conform with the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an air traffic controller. Air traffic controllers usually study aviation, business, or management. 45% of air traffic controllers hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,740 real air traffic controller resumes to see exactly what air traffic controller education sections show.

The most common colleges for air traffic controllers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online air traffic controller courses to help get the education required to be an air traffic controller.

There are certain air traffic controller certifications that you should consider. These air traffic controller certifications include Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO) and Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS).

What education do you need to become an air traffic controller?

What degree do you need to be an air traffic controller?

The most common degree for air traffic controllers is bachelor's degree, with 45% of air traffic controllers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 28% and associate degree degree at 17%.

Bachelor's, 45%

Associate, 28%

High School Diploma, 17%

Master's, 5%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become an air traffic controller?

You should major in aviation to become an air traffic controller. 27% of air traffic controllers major in aviation. Other common majors for an air traffic controller include business and management.

Aviation, 27%

Business, 19%

Management, 7%

General Studies, 6%

Other Majors, 41%

Most common colleges for air traffic controllers

Air traffic controllers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Here are the most common colleges for air traffic controllers in the US based on their resumes.

Air traffic controller common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	13.73%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach	9.31%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	6.37%
Thomas Edison State University	6.37%
Thomas College	5.39%

Show more common air traffic controller colleges

Best majors for air traffic controllers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Aviation	26.8%
2	Business	19.4%
3	Management	6.8%
4	General Studies	6.2%
5	Aerospace Engineering	5.7%

Show more common air traffic controller majors

Best colleges for air traffic controllers

The best colleges for air traffic controllers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

An air traffic controller with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for air traffic controllers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become air traffic controllers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$45,542

Enrollment

14,159

5. University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$11,822

Enrollment

1,834

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

7. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,105

Enrollment

13,729

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

10. Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus

Mesa, AZ • Private

In-state tuition

$9,840

Enrollment

4,495

20 best online courses for air traffic controllers

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16. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC

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17. SAP Controlling

4.4

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SAP Controlling...

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Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...

19. Refrigeration & Air conditioning - Design and calculation

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20. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

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Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

Top 10 most affordable universities for air traffic controllers

The most affordable schools for air traffic controllers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for air traffic controllers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for air traffic controllers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

10. York College of the City University of New York

Jamaica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,158

Cost of attendance

14,204

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for air traffic controllers

The hardest universities for air traffic controllers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for air traffic controllers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for air traffic controllers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for air traffic controllers

The easiest schools for air traffic controllers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an air traffic controller without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for air traffic controllers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

7. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

8. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

9. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

10. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

Average air traffic controller salary by education level

According to our data, air traffic controllers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $55,909 annually. Air traffic controllers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $52,946.

Air traffic controller education level	Air traffic controller salary
High School Diploma or Less	$42,215
Bachelor's Degree	$55,909
Some College/ Associate Degree	$52,946

Air traffic controller education FAQs

What degree do you need to be an air traffic controller?

What is the best college for Air Traffic Controllers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common transportation questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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