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Air Transportation at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,922/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (33% exposed)

Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #16 of 54 Air Transportation programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Air Transportation graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$627K	$621K	$570K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.6x	14.4x	13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.3x	5.3x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	48%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	55	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,120

Out-of-state: $118,012 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,176

-33% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,556

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$68,250

55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,922/yr, Air Transportation graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver land near the $44,286 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 14.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Air Transportation career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,556 against $43,922/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #16 ranking among 54 Air Transportation programs places Metropolitan State University of Denver in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $43,922-to-$68,250 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

With 99% of applicants admitted, Metropolitan State University of Denver prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,932 in Denver, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver →

Top Career Paths

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600/yr

Air traffic controllers $144,580/yr

Commercial pilots $122,670/yr

View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Air Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Air Transportation at Metropolitan State University of Denver?

At 55/100, Metropolitan State University of Denver's Air Transportation program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →