Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Metropolitan State University of Denver

The small sample size here matters—with under 30 graduates, a few outliers could significantly skew these numbers. That said, the pattern suggests Metropolitan State's civil engineering technology program underperforms its lone Colorado competitor (Colorado State Pueblo grads earn $62,138) and falls well below the national median of $59,382. Starting at $54,677 puts graduates in just the 5th percentile nationally, though within Colorado it ranks at the 40th percentile—likely because there are only two programs in the state to compare against.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $31,998, it's manageable and results in a 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary. The 30% earnings growth to $71,326 by year four shows decent mobility, suggesting the lower starting salary may reflect entry-level positioning rather than a ceiling on career prospects. Metropolitan State's 99% admission rate and accessibility mission (35% Pell recipients) means this program serves students who might not have other four-year engineering options.

For families considering this program, the key question is opportunity cost. If your student can access Colorado State Pueblo or a stronger out-of-state program, the earnings gap appears significant. But if Metropolitan State's accessibility, location in Denver, or lower barriers to entry make it the realistic path to a civil engineering career, the manageable debt and solid earnings trajectory make it workable—just understand you're likely starting behind peers from more competitive programs.