Location: Denver, CO•In-State Tuition: $10,780•Out-of-State Tuition: $29,503•Admission Rate: 99%•Avg SAT: 1014
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$72,746
Est. from national median (56 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,053
Est. from national median (41 programs)

Analysis

The debt-to-earnings math looks solid here: comparable construction management bachelor's programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $73,000 against roughly $24,000 in debt—a 0.33 ratio that's well within manageable territory. That's less than four months of gross pay to cover the entire student loan burden, which puts this squarely in "reasonable investment" range for a field with clear career paths.

Colorado's construction sector is booming, and Metro State's location in Denver positions graduates at the center of that growth. Similar programs in Colorado show slightly lower first-year earnings ($67,000), but the national benchmark suggests Metro State could perform at or above that level given Denver's robust construction market. The accessible admission and significant Pell grant population (35%) indicate the school serves students who need a practical pathway to middle-class earnings, and construction management delivers exactly that.

The real question is execution: Does Metro State have the industry connections and project-based curriculum to match what peer programs deliver? The small graduate sample that necessitated these estimates could signal either a boutique program with personalized attention or one that hasn't gained traction yet. Visit the campus, meet faculty, and ask what percentage of students land jobs before graduation—construction management programs live or die on employer relationships, not classroom theory.

Where Metropolitan State University of Denver Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all construction management bachelors's programs nationally

Metropolitan State University of Denver (estimated ±10%)Other construction management programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Construction Management bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver$10,780$72,746*—$24,053*—
Colorado State University PuebloPueblo$9,401$67,044*—$24,750*0.37
National Median—$72,746*—$24,750*0.34
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with construction management graduates

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Project Management Specialists

Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

$100,750/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Metropolitan State University of Denver, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 56 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.