Originally Posted by RandyWaldron
Aviation degrees, such as BS Aviation Operations, Aviation Management, etc. are highly specialized degrees. Just like a bachelor's degree in engineering or information technology, there are not that many jobs out there which require a bachelor's degree in aviation science. In essence, many of the colleges and universities in the nation have simply capitalized on the fact that pilots need degrees to work for major carriers, (also realizing that most flight students want to be airline pilots) and have created this major around flying. A good major, yes, but is it a major that can keep you employed outside of the aviation field if you get furloughed, etc: not really.
I agree with everything you said about the A.S. degree, but engineering and CS degrees are a different story...a specialized engineering degree can get you a job in your dream field (ex. spacecraft propulsion) if you're lucky, but also is a great fallback position because you can always get an engineering job in any field related to your specialty...our spacecraft propulsion guy could get a job designing single-engine propellor hubs or aileron fairings or whatever. CS degrees, even with specialization, open up the entire IT industry: software & hardware mfgs, integrators, end-user companies, defense, etc. (but a computer engineering degree is even better).
Also an engineering degree in the hands of a US citizen has the great advantage of eligibility for a security clearance...you have a pool of job opportunities that are ONLY available to long-term citizens, and they often involve some pretty neat stuff.