Systems Engineering at Metropolitan State University of Denver

A $79,942 salary projection based on national Systems Engineering outcomes is solid for an engineering bachelor's, but here's what matters more: Metropolitan State delivers this through an open-access model (99% admission) that serves a substantial population of lower-income students. The estimated $19,500 debt figure, if it holds, would give graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24—meaning roughly three months of gross salary to cover total educational debt.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. Nationally, Systems Engineering programs cluster fairly tightly around the $80,000 mark for first-year earnings, suggesting the field has a relatively consistent baseline. But Metro State's specific outcomes could vary from these national figures depending on their curriculum, employer connections in Denver's tech sector, and student preparation levels. The school's average SAT of 1014 and high admission rate indicate they're working with students who might face steeper academic challenges in an engineering program, though that accessibility is precisely their mission.

For families considering this program, the key question is completion. If your student can handle the engineering coursework and graduate with debt near $20,000, the estimated salary would make this a strong financial choice. But engineering programs everywhere have high attrition rates, and at schools serving first-generation college students, that risk intensifies. Visit the program, talk to current students about support services, and get honest about your child's math and physics preparation before committing.