Traffic controller education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a traffic controller. Traffic controllers usually study business, criminal justice, or general studies. 41% of traffic controllers hold a high school diploma, and 21% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 3,252 real traffic controller resumes to see exactly what traffic controller education sections show.

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

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

There are certain traffic controller certifications that you should consider. These traffic controller certifications include Flagger (Instructor) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

What education do you need to become a traffic controller?

What degree do you need to be a traffic controller?

The most common degree for traffic controllers is high school diploma, with 41% of traffic controllers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 21% and bachelor's degree degree at 18%.

High School Diploma, 41%

Bachelor's, 21%

Associate, 18%

Diploma, 10%

Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a traffic controller?

You should major in business to become a traffic controller. 21% of traffic controllers major in business. Other common majors for a traffic controller include criminal justice and general studies.

Business, 21%

Criminal Justice, 11%

General Studies, 10%

Electrical Engineering, 7%

Other Majors, 51%

Most common colleges for traffic controllers

Traffic controllers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Minnesota State University - Mankato, and Fairmont State University. Here are the most common colleges for traffic controllers in the US based on their resumes.

Traffic controller common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	17.58%
Minnesota State University - Mankato	7.69%
Fairmont State University	6.59%
American InterContinental University	6.59%
Ashford University	5.49%

Show more common traffic controller colleges

Best majors for traffic controllers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	21.0%
2	Criminal Justice	10.9%
3	General Studies	10.0%
4	Electrical Engineering	6.5%
5	Computer Science	5.2%

Show more common traffic controller majors

Best colleges for traffic controllers

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

A 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 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 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 traffic controllers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for traffic controllers

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

If the best universities for 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 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 traffic controllers

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

Some great schools for 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 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 traffic controllers

The easiest schools for 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 a 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 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 traffic controller salary by education level

According to our data, traffic controllers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $43,282 annually. Traffic controllers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $41,465.

Traffic controller education level	Traffic controller salary
High School Diploma or Less	$34,690
Bachelor's Degree	$43,282
Some College/ Associate Degree	$41,465

Traffic controller education FAQs

What is the best college for 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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