California Aeronautical University
Bakersfield, California · Private For-Profit
ROI Score: 7/100 · Poor Value
California Aeronautical University scores 7 (Poor Value) -- among the lowest on the CampusROI scale. The core problem: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.233, a 30.2% completion rate, an 84.6-year payback period, and a loan repayment rate of only 38.6%. Median 6-year earnings are $24,900 against a net price of $36,126 per year and median student debt of $30,705. Fewer than 1 in 3 students who enroll completes a degree. This is a for-profit aviation school in Bakersfield, CA with 347 enrolled students; the financial profile is seriously problematic for most students who attend.
The data raises concerns about California Aeronautical University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score7/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.23 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate30.2% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
California Aeronautical University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,667/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,667/yr |
| Average net price | $36,126/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $144,504 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,361 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $24,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $30,705 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $326 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 30.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 347 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California Aeronautical University is $37,667/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $36,126/year, or roughly $144,504 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $35,535/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $43,076/year.
The median graduate leaves with $30,705 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $326 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $38,361 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.23 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $35,535 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,863 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $35,669 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $39,250 |
| $110,001+ | $43,076 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The $0-30,000 income bracket pays $35,535 per year -- nearly the same as the published tuition. Pell grants are providing minimal offset relative to the cost. Low-income students at California Aeronautical carry the same debt burden as other students while having fewer financial reserves to weather the 30.2% completion-rate risk. This is a particularly high-risk choice for Pell-eligible students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-48,000 bracket pays $28,863 -- a modest dip in the aid schedule. The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $35,669, nearly as much as the lowest income band. The aid model provides limited relief across middle-income brackets, and the financial risk profile is the same: high debt, low completion, low repayment rate.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $43,076 per year -- the highest net price tier. Full-pay at California Aeronautical means roughly $172,000 over four years for a school where fewer than 1 in 3 students completes a degree and median 6-year earnings are $24,900. This is a poor financial proposition at any income level.
Earnings by Major
Top 2 most popular majors at California Aeronautical University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation | $52,656 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,905 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Air Transportation
Air Transportation is the primary program here (36 graduates with Scorecard data). Year-one median earnings are $52,656 with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.570 (ROI grade C) and median debt of $30,024. The year-one figure of $52k is plausible for a regional airline first officer or charter pilot, but it is the institutional-wide $24,900 median 6-year earnings that reveals the broader outcome: most students at this school do not reach aviation careers or are not captured as completing. The C-grade ROI for this specific program is materially better than the institution's overall profile.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 33.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 38.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 24.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 34.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 347 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 46.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,232 |
No admission rate or test score data is available for this institution. As a for-profit school with open-access enrollment in a specialized field, selectivity is not a relevant screen. The meaningful filter is financial: prospective students should calculate the full debt load expected at graduation against realistic aviation job market salaries before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
California Aeronautical's Scorecard peers are Academy of Art University, University of Silicon Valley, South University-Montgomery, Eagle Gate College-Murray, and South University-Tampa -- all for-profit institutions. As a group, these schools share the for-profit sector's elevated debt levels and lower completion and repayment rates. California Aeronautical's ROI score of 7 is notably low even within this peer group, driven primarily by the severe completion rate (30.2%) and a debt-to-earnings ratio (1.233) that exceeds typical for-profit outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Aeronautical University (this school) | 7 | $36,126 | $38,361 |
| University of Silicon Valley | 23 | $27,815 | $51,017 |
| Academy of Art University | 10 | $40,613 | $39,008 |
| Eagle Gate College-Murray | 10 | $27,345 | $37,518 |
| South University-Tampa | 8 | $20,434 | $34,421 |
| South University-Montgomery | 7 | $27,807 | $34,421 |
Who Thrives Here
California Aeronautical University is a for-profit college primarily targeting students who want to become commercial pilots or aviation professionals. It is a poor fit for any student evaluating schools on financial outcomes: the completion rate is 30.2%, the repayment rate is 38.6%, and the median earnings are $24,900 at 6 years. Students who have already completed flight training elsewhere and need to formalize credentials may find it more relevant than degree-seeking students starting from scratch. The 46.3% Pell grant rate indicates substantial enrollment of lower-income students who face the greatest financial risk.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about California Aeronautical University. With a net cost of $36,126 per year and median graduate earnings of only $38,361 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 30.2% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $30,705 against $38,361 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.