MSU Denver Aviation Enrollment Approaches 800 Students in Fall 2026

Colorado, USA – Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) has reported nearly 800 students enrolled in its Aviation and Aerospace Science program for Fall 2026, with demand making the Bachelor of Science in Aviation and Aerospace Science the university's second-most popular major.

• MSU Denver said the number of classes offered by the department has increased 52% over the past decade in response to student demand.
• The Aviation and Aerospace Science bachelor's degree offers three concentrations:
  • Operations Concentration
  • Professional Flight Officer Concentration
  • Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Concentration
• MSU Denver holds FAA authorization to certify eligible Professional Flight Officer graduates for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Students meeting the applicable degree, coursework and Part 141 flight-training requirements can qualify for the R-ATP pathway with 1,000 total flight hours rather than the standard 1,500-hour threshold.
• Flight training for R-ATP eligibility is conducted through FAA Part 141 training providers approved by MSU Denver, with students required to complete at least their instrument and commercial single-engine flight training through an approved provider alongside the corresponding university ground courses.
• MSU Denver states that approximately $40 million has been invested in aviation and aerospace technology and training infrastructure. Its Aeronautics and Aerospace Systems Laboratories comprise nine specialist facilities covering flight simulation, air traffic control, avionics, unmanned aircraft systems, satellite operations and aerospace systems.
• The university's flight simulation laboratory includes training systems representing Cessna 172, Piper Seminole and Beech 1900D aircraft. Separate facilities include an 18-position air traffic control simulator, a Cessna Citation Mustang training system with a 220-degree visual display and a CRJ700 simulation platform incorporating aircraft systems, avionics and flight controls.

Source: MSU Denver