Compare 11 Flight Instructor. programs in the West. Average earnings: $64,541.
Flight Instructor programs produce graduates earning between $35,416 and $118,920—a $83K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 11 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Leading the rankings, Eastern New Mexico University's Flight Instructor program produces graduates earning $118,920. The average across all programs is $64,541, yet this regional public outperforms by $54K—proof that specialized programs at lesser-known schools can deliver exceptional outcomes. Utah Valley University follows at $80,991, while San Jose State reaches $72,295.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Eastern New Mexico graduates borrow $16,500 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making a $119K salary extremely manageable.
Highest program earnings: $118,920
Strong outcomes with 55% acceptance rate
2.3% payment burden | Excellent
4.5% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $118,920 | 33 | $16,500 | Excellent | $13,200 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $80,991 | 195 | $14,750 | Excellent | $9,582 | Excellent |
| #3 | $72,295 | 58 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #4 | $68,153 | 44 | $19,500 | Excellent | $22,000 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $60,475 | 86 | $21,500 | Excellent | $13,743 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $59,774 | 33 | $20,210 | Excellent | $15,360 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $59,236 | 102 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Manageable | |
| #8 | Westminster UniversityPrivate | $59,224 | 19 | $22,250 | Good | $25,834 | Challenging |
| #9 | $48,989 | 11 | $26,063 | Manageable | $31,387 | High | |
| #10 | Rocky Mountain CollegePrivate | $46,478 | 22 | $26,000 | Manageable | $19,971 | High |
| #11 | Utah State UniversityPublic | $35,416 | 33 | $14,340 | Manageable | $13,923 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
