Air Transportation at Clover Park Technical College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 is manageable by most standards, but the bigger question for Clover Park's Air Transportation program is whether national benchmarks tell the right story. With comparable programs nationally suggesting first-year earnings around $42,500 and typical debt of $13,200, the math works—graduates should be able to handle their loans without serious strain. Aviation technical roles can offer steady career progression, and the estimated debt load here is notably lower than the national median for similar programs.

What's harder to gauge is how this specific program's outcomes compare to the three other Air Transportation programs in Washington. Without reported data from peer schools in the state, you're left relying on national averages that may not reflect regional aviation industry dynamics, local employer relationships, or differences in curriculum focus (maintenance versus operations, for example). The field itself is stable but can be sensitive to economic cycles and industry consolidation.

If your child is committed to aviation and values staying in-state, this program's estimated debt burden won't become a millstone. But push the school for placement rates, employer partnerships, and where recent graduates actually landed jobs—that information will matter more than these national estimates in determining whether this investment makes sense.