Or maybe you dream of leading a team of researchers in a jet propulsion laboratory. Whatever it is your desire, getting a degree from one of the best aviation colleges in the world will help you achieve that. Furthermore, the Aviation industry is an extremely diverse sector that offers job opportunities in various areas. These job opportunities range from customer service to positions with very complicated technical tasks. However, employment growth and employment prospects for aviation professionals usually vary from one concentration to another. A recent study has shown that a professional airline pilot’s average yearly salary is about $105,720. And the employment growth in the sector is projected to grow at a rate of 5% by 2024. For mechanics and equipment technicians, jobs are to increase by 1%, with an average salary of $ 60,270 annually. Below is a list of some top best aviation colleges that have stood the test of time. They have produced most of the renowned airline master pilots across the world. Meanwhile, here’s a table of content for a summary of what to expect in this article.
Aviation Colleges: What you need to know
Aviation colleges offer various types of education, and many schools cover more than just piloting. Students can pursue programs in airport management, aircraft engineering, air traffic control, and flight stewardship. However, many programs focus on aircraft piloting. Pilot training occurs at many levels: Private pilots focus on small aircraft for personal use, while airline transport pilots prepare students to pilot major commercial aircraft. Piloting smaller, single-engine aircraft requires lower levels of education, while commercial piloting typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree.
Why Get a Degree In Aviation?
Earning a degree from one of the best aviation colleges offers several professional and personal benefits. See below for five common reasons students attend flight school.
Professional Advancement: Professional flight training is a universal requirement for pilots. Earning a degree is the surest path to a career in aviation. Specialized Skills: An aviation program builds the technical skills and knowledge necessary for a career as a pilot. Students learn about aircraft operation, aviation law, and weather factors. Higher Salary Potential: An aviation degree confers advanced skills that enable graduates to pursue a wider selection of careers with higher salary potential. In general, more advanced degrees yield higher average salary levels. Networking Opportunities: Many aviation programs partner with major airlines and other aviation employers. Enrolling in these programs can offer students a larger professional network and increased employment opportunities after graduation. Licensure and Certification: Aviation programs prepare students for various types of licensure and certification, which are needed in pilot career for pilot careers. Advanced certification can also increase employment prospects.
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Accreditation For An Aviation Degree
When researching aviation colleges, prospective students should ensure a school possesses proper accreditation. Accreditation functions to regulate colleges and universities, demonstrating that an institution meets nationally and regionally designated education standards. A school that lacks proper accreditation may not adequately prepare students for work in their chosen field. Accreditation comes in two major forms: national and regional. National accreditation serves trade and vocational schools, while regional accreditation serves traditional four-year colleges. Most colleges offering aviation programs should be regionally accredited by one of the six major regional accreditation agencies. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation provides a list of approved accrediting organizations for more information on these agencies. While a college as a whole may possess regional or national accreditation, individual programs can also hold programmatic accreditation from industry-specific accreditation agencies. The Aviation Accreditation Board International accredits many aviation programs.
List Of The Best Aviation Colleges In The World In 2023
Here are the 15 best aviation colleges in the world
Purdue University Aviation College University of North Dakota Ohio State University Aviation College Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Aviation Western Michigan University Aviation College San Jose State University College of Aviation Academy College Hallmark University Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Rio Salado College Aeroism Flight Academy Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Georgia Institute Of Technology United States Naval Academy United States Air Force Academy
#1. Purdue University Aviation College
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Purdue Aviation college is one of the world’s most prestigious aviation colleges. This is the place Neil Armstrong, the first man to land on the moon, graduated from. This aviation school at Purdue University is known for the nickname “Cradle of Astronauts,” according to U.S. News & World Report.Degree Programs: Purdue’s College of Technology has students in various aeronautical degree programs. There are students in aeronautical engineering technology, air traffic control, aviation management, and professional flight technology.The College of Technology at Purdue also offers a master of science in aviation & aerospace management.Tuition: Tuition fees at Purdue Aviation College usually range from $10,000 for residents. It ranges from $28,000 for non-residents. Official Website
#2. University of North Dakota
Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota This is another notable school of aviation you won’t deny a mention when listing top aviation colleges in the world. John D. Odegard owns the school. The John Odegard School of Aerospace Studies at the University of North Dakota has long been known as a place where top-notch aero-space experts are raised. It prides itself on providing the highest possible standard of professional flight without burdening the student with astronomical tuition fees. This aviation college offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. Students offering each of these programs have the opportunity to add a minor or specialty certification. They also offer undergraduate degree programs in business administration as well as aeronautics. And can also earn a master’s or Ph.D. in aerospace sciences. Each degree, be it undergraduate, graduate, or master’s, includes mandatory flight course requirements. Degree Programs: Students at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences can earn a degree in airport management, aviation management, air traffic control, aviation technology management, and more. Also, UND offers a master of science in aviation and a doctorate in aerospace sciences. Tuition ranges from $8,447 for North Dakota residents to $20,047 for non-residents. Students: UND has almost 12,000 students throughout the university’s degree programs. About 900 of those are in the flight program. Official Website Check this: 15 Best Colleges For Zoology in the World | Ranking 2023
#3. Ohio State University Aviation College
Location: Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State University is a school with one of the world’s best aviation colleges. In fact, It has one of the top aviation colleges in the USA.Degree Programs: Students can offer aeronautical programs here. The OSU’s Engineering Center for Aviation Studies is undoubtedly among the best aviation colleges in the world. Also, this aviation college offers both undergraduate and graduate aviation degree programs.Tuition fees range from $4,223 to $10,023 depending on residency versus non-residency.Students: The average number of undergraduate students enrolled at Ohio State University is 45,800. Official Website
#4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Aviation
Location: ERAU has three campuses; one at Daytona Beach, Florida, another at Prescott, Arizona, and the last one is known as ERAU Worldwide & Worldwide Online. This prestigious college of aviation, also known as Harvard of the Skies, is a school that has raised more graduates than any other aviation university. That’s because it is the oldest and largest aviation university program.Degree Programs: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has over 60 degree programs which include aeronautical science, aeronautical and aerospace engineering, global security & intelligence, air traffic control, and business administration, and many more. ERAU is the only aviation college to offer a doctorate in aviation.Tuition: Generally, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University tuition ranges from $48,992 to $50,570.Students: There are 6,900 students on all three campuses. Official Website
#5. Western Michigan University Aviation College
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, but the flight department is at W. K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan. Western Michigan University, college of aviation is one of the best aviation colleges in the USA. The college has existed for 75 years and has proven itself as a well-regarded, highly revered aviation college worldwide. Degree Programs: Students in the College of Aviation can offer degree programs in aviation management, aviation flight science, and aviation maintenance. Tuition: Tuition fees usually range from $10,000 for residents to $24,000 for nonresidents, but students enrolling from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin receive a reduced tuition rate. Students: There are about 24,000 students enrolled at Western Michigan University. Official Website
#6. San Jose State University College of Aviation
Location: San Jose, California The San Jose State University College of Engineering offers a degree in Aviation Technology. The aviation department began in 1936 when students in the math department asked about flight. Ever since, the school has been serving students with interest in business, technical, or active flying careers. Degree Programs: This aviation college offers two bachelor’s programs, a bachelor of science in aviation degree and a bachelor of science in industrial technology. Within either of these degrees in aviation, students can specialize in operations, maintenance management, aviation management, or professional flight. Tuition: The graduate business professional tuition fees are $270 per unit/credit. Students: The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at San Jose State University is about 32,000. Official Website
#7. Academy College
Location: Bloomington, MN Academy College is another top best aviation college. The school is a private aviation college that was founded in 1936. The structured, results-oriented curriculum offered at Academy College ensures it equips students with the knowledge and training essential to achieving success as a pilot. The courses offered here are FAA approved and are conducted under FAR Part 141. Furthermore, the courses are taught by pilots and allow students to develop relationships with industry professionals. Degree Programs: Academy College offers several degree options in the aviation field, such as an Associate of Applied Science in the aviation business, a certificate program in professional pilot, and a resident and correspondence program in aircraft dispatch. Official Website Also, you can read this: 20 Colleges With Aviation Programs In 2023
#8. Hallmark University
Location: San Antonio, Texas Hallmark University is a private career school founded in 1969 and is one school in the world with an aviation college. Hallmark Aviation College is among the top aviation colleges in the world. It has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an Aviation Maintenance Technician School. Degree Programs: The School of Aeronautics at Hallmark University offers both associate and diploma programs. Diploma programs include aviation technician, airframe technician, and power plant technician. Students may choose one of two associate of applied science degree programs in aviation, airframe technology, or power plant technology. The fifteen-month degree programs prepare graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to become professionals in aviation.The programs require between 54 and 90 credits and between 1174 and 1926 hours of practice in learned skills. Each of the programs instills graduates with the entry-level skills necessary to enter the field of aviation successfully. Official Website
#9. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Location: Tulsa, Ok Spartan has produced graduates who continue to make remarkable contributions within the aviation industry. Spartan College offers programs that encompass the areas of aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and technology. Degree Programs: Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology offers a range of programs in aviation, including associate and bachelor’s degrees and diploma programs. Students can pursue diploma programs in avionics maintenance technology, non-destructive testing diploma programs, avionics maintenance technology, quality control and professional pilot degree, and aviation management. The Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance, and majors in avionics, quality control, and flight programs, prepare the student for entry-level positions within their field of interest. They can complete the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology Management in 16 months and combines training, education, and experience to ensure it equips graduates with the skills necessary to become successful professionals in their field. Official Website
#10. Rio Salado College
Location: Tempe, Arizona, USA Rio Salado’s employee development partnership program provides advanced training to those who work in the airline industry. Degree Programs: Certificates are available in several areas of airline operations, including Reservations and Ticketing Services, Passenger Services, and Ground Operations. The Associate in Applied Science in Airline Operations provides students with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas while still meeting the rigid Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Students: Students must be employees of a Rio Salado partner to enter this program. Official Website Read more: 20 Best Colleges With Graphic Design Majors In 2023
#11. Aeroism Flight Academy
Location: Sanford, Florida Aeroism Flight Academy was established in 1989 and is considered a leading institution for pilot training. Recognized for the quality of its graduates, Aeroism Flight Academy has produced first-officer candidates for the most successful regional airlines. Degree Programs: The programs offered here provide students with advanced, industry-relevant curriculum and training which prepares them for careers in top airlines as first officers, nationally and internationally Furthermore, the programs train students in safety, efficiency, and customer service. Students from around the world enroll at Aeroism Flight Academy because of the quality of their programs. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges accredits this school. Many technicals and aerospace schools now offer a portion of their degree programs online, often at in-state tuition costs, regardless of your place of residence. Official Website
#12. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the world’s top and brightest aviation universities. MIT, the number 1 school on QS World University Rankings, is one of the best places in the world to be an engineering student. The MIT AeroAstro, whose roots go back to 1914, is the oldest aerospace engineering program of its kind in the United States. Degree Programs: There are two ways to earn an aeronautics degree from MIT. The university offers a traditional BS in Aerospace Engineering or the broader engineering program, through which you’ll study aviation through a multidisciplinary curriculum. Both programs are the best of their kind. The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in the field. Tuition: $26,725 (Fall and Spring 2023) Students: Around 11,000 students attend the highly competitive MIT. Official Website
#13. Georgia Institute Of Technology
Location: Atlanta, Georgia The Georgia Institute of Technology, known as Georgia Tech, is a public university in Atlanta. It is one of the top 10 aviation schools in the US. And many of its individual departments are equally renowned. It is a member of the University System of Georgia and is organized into six separate colleges, all of which provide degree programs in engineering, business, and the sciences. Degree Programs: Georgia Tech’s Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering offers a BS degree that combines coursework with a ton of lab and research experience. As a student, you will explore everything from structural analysis to jet propulsion. In your senior year, you will invest in a capstone project in one of three areas: rotorcraft, fixed-wing, and spacecraft. Tuition: $13,788 Students: Nearly 30,000 students attend Georgia Tech. Official Website
#14. United States Naval Academy
Location: Annapolis, MD The United States Naval Academy is in Annapolis, MD, and is one of the nation’s oldest service academies. It is designated as an approved “technological institution” and offers degree programs across the STEM fields. The Aerospace Engineering Department offers one of the most exciting and challenging academic programs at the Naval Academy. Furthermore, the program is structured to produce naval officers who will meet the challenges of serving in such areas as naval aviation, space, and research. Degree Programs: When you earn a degree in aerospace engineering from the US Naval Academy, you have two options for specialization: astronautics and aeronautics. While the former introduces you to rocket propulsion and astrodynamics, the latter highlights airplane stability, control, and design. Both are founded on the same curriculum, which covers the following:
Principles of Aerospace Engineering Structural Mechanics for Aerospace Engineers Mechanics and Materials for Aerospace Engineers Fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering
Tuition: Tuition is free. Students who attend the Naval Academy do so on full scholarship. Students: Around 4,500 students, or “midshipmen,” attend the United States Naval Academy. Also, check this: 20 Best Colleges with Biology Majors in 2023 Official Website
#15. United States Air Force Academy
Location: El Paso County, Colorado The United States Air Force Academy is based in El Paso in the County of Colorado. It is a military academy and the ideal place to earn an aviation degree if you hope to fly for the Air Force. Degree Programs: This program gives students a sturdy and broad foundation in flight mechanics and aircraft design. Graduates have worked within and outside the Air Force as defense contractors, project managers, and aeronautical R&D engineers. Some classes you’ll take include:
Aircraft Dynamic Stability and Control Flight Test Techniques Aircraft Feedback Control Systems Aircraft Engine Design
Students: Around 4,500 students, or “midshipmen,” attend the United States Naval Academy. Official Website
References
https://www.thebestcolleges.org/
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