Originally Posted by Mesabah

Where can you get a worthwhile degree for less than $25K? My degree was about $35K, but today, that same college, same major is $125K.
This absolute parabolic rise in tuition is caused by degree inflation, and it will eventually drive the economy into the dirt, and the airlines into another lost decade.
I'm singling out the airlines here because it is an airline forum, but this applies to all jobs where a degree in "anything", is being required.

I flew with a guy whom had $275K in Riddle debt, and the default rate of 14% interest, he can't discharge that debt in bankruptcy. At his current payment plan, that's $1.2 million in total debt over his career.

Originally Posted by web500sjc

No one said DL requires a 35k degree or better (or a degree from a good school) they just require a degree that say “Bachlor” on it. Get one from Trump University, Detroit Comunity college, or Fedex University... DL doesn’t care as long as you check the box.

Originally Posted by Baradium

Smaller not as famous schools tend to cost less. My base tuition was $1200 a semester where I went, starting in 2001. That puts it at under $10,000 in tuition for 4 years, even doubling that to account for books etc and you're under $20,000. And this was a large 4 year institution that just didn't have a big name football team or only specialize in aviation.

I do see now they have a per hour scale, with 15 hours costing around $4500, which does increase those costs significantly. But it still means a 4 year degree for well under 6 figures is possible, even accounting for additional expenses. (I come up with $36,000 in tuition at that rate)

When you start adding in aviation programs, flight time costs increase the money spent by a large amount but you'd be spending flight training money regardless, so it's more a matter of whether they are charging more than market for aircraft and instructors (mine was less than the FBO).

When you start looking at smaller community colleges that have 4 year degree programs you can still get a degree for a reasonable amount IMO. Many schools also now have correspondence courses which someone can use while they have a career to get a degree while they're working.

I do not think Riddle costs are appropriate for an overall degree discussion as they are known for being a very expensive school. Might as well use base tuition costs for an ivy league school and imply it covers everywhere else as well. When I went to school a riddle education was more per semester than my entire education for their fees. Currently ERAU in Daytona charges $17,196 for 12-16 credit hours. $16,332 if you graduated high school in Florida. On top of that, they have higher housing costs associated with their location. I didn't sample every state, but it seems that $5000 a semester is a reasonable tuition that you can achieve with a 15 hour course load. That would be $40,000 for 4 year program tuition cost, doubling that to take care of potential expenses does put you up to $80,000, but that would be $45,000 below your number and many times lower than a riddle one.

In transparency I'm trying to account for living expenses, books etc and be generous with the numbers. Are you including those numbers in your school's fees?

Originally Posted by Mesabah

That's for the DGI, Delta absolutely considers quality of education in your app score, to get the call for an OTS interview.



You likely won't be getting the call for Delta if you don't have a quality education, finished in a timely manner.

Moreover, Delta plans to go directly to the Universities to hire its pilots, it's the only way they can keep this scam going. The other airlines usually follow Delta, so if you're not willing to take on the debt, you're likely not going to be working for a legacy. The debt is no big deal if you get the slot, but if not, yikes. It's totally crazy.

Originally Posted by Bahamasflyer

A bit of hyperbole there man, don't you think?

Originally Posted by Mesabah

That's for the DGI, Delta absolutely considers quality of education in your app score, to get the call for an OTS interview.



You likely won't be getting the call for Delta if you don't have a quality education, finished in a timely manner.

Moreover, Delta plans to go directly to the Universities to hire its pilots, it's the only way they can keep this scam going. The other airlines usually follow Delta, so if you're not willing to take on the debt, you're likely not going to be working for a legacy. The debt is no big deal if you get the slot, but if not, yikes. It's totally crazy.

Originally Posted by Baradium

MTSU, which is a large institution with a respected aviation program is under $5000 a semester as well. I consider them to represent a quality institution, and a more rounded education at that.


AA has their flow, but I'm not sure DAL and UAL are ready to go to that extent at this time. I honestly think this is the time to be trying to get regional flying back in house at the majors. If they're going to be increasing pay to near major parity anyway and possibly looking at flows... might as well shoot for one seniority list all the way through.

Originally Posted by Mesabah

Yeah, but MTSU is $14K semester out of state. I know what you are getting at, but keep in mind I do hiring for my own business, and I'm disgusted by what I see colleges putting these kids through.

Originally Posted by HighFlight

$797 mil in 2017. $758 mil in 2016. Not quite there yet.

Fun fact - name a major airline that has never merged nor furloughed a pilot.

Originally Posted by web500sjc

No one said DL requires a 35k degree or better (or a degree from a good school) they just require a degree that say “Bachlor” on it. Get one from Trump University, Detroit Comunity college, or Fedex University... DL doesn’t care as long as you check the box.

Originally Posted by N1234

Those are quarterly figures. Annual revenue is over 3B

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SKYW/financials?p=SKYW