Air Transportation at Green River College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 falls within manageable territory for an aviation bachelor's degree, though the complete picture here relies heavily on estimates. Peer aviation programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $43,000, which aligns with what Central Washington University—the only Washington school with reported outcomes—actually produces. The estimated $23,573 in debt sits slightly below the national median for these programs, suggesting Green River may offer reasonable cost control compared to typical aviation bachelor's degrees elsewhere.

The challenge is that aviation careers often require significant additional certifications and flight hours beyond the bachelor's degree itself, expenses that don't show up in these debt figures. If Green River's program focuses on aviation management or operations rather than piloting, that $43,000 starting point might represent the actual ceiling rather than an entry point before career advancement. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (19%) suggests this program serves students with more financial resources, which makes sense given aviation's additional costs.

Green River appears cost-competitive based on available estimates, but you'll need direct conversations with the school about program focus, additional certification costs, and actual graduate outcomes. The estimated figures suggest reasonable value, but only if your student understands whether they're training for the flight deck or the operations office—and what additional investment each path requires.