Where do I start?
So you've made the decision and decided to go to school for aviation, but where do you start? There are so many questions to answer, such as what colleges you'll apply to, how long you'll go (do you need a four-year degree, or will a two-year degree suffice?), and how it will impact your career? What about certification programs, do they offer the same benefits as a degree? And perhaps most importantly, how much is this going to cost? There's a lot to think about, but making a smart decision by choosing the right school for you and your desired career path can set you up for success in the future.
Certifications
Certifications are a topic that can be a bit confusing to people new to the aviation industry - unlike many other subjects, aviation certifications are required in any position where you're working on aviation equipment.
Because of this, certifications are extremely important, and if you're looking to a pursue a career working on aircraft, make sure your study path includes a section to help you prepare for the certifications.
One of, if not the most common certification in the aviation industry is the A&P license, which covers both the Airframe (the structure of an aircraft) and Powerplant (propulsion). This exam includes oral, practical, and written portions covering 43 subjects. Almost all programs in the aviation industry will prepare you to some degree for an A&P license, but it's always worth double checking to make sure you'll have everything you need when you graduate.
Other Options
If you're looking to get a foot in the door in the aviation industry without investing in a four year degree, there are a few alternative options.
Joining the military is an extremely common way to get hands-on experience in the industry, with both the United States Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy offering outstanding aviation courses (whether you're setting up for a career as a pilot in the United States Military or a successful civilian career, or both!) If you attend the United States Air Force Academy, tuition, as well as room and board, are fully covered by the Academy.
Another option, especially if you're still exploring options, is your local community college. Most of these schools offer aviation maintenance programs that will give you the skills and training you need to get your A&P license, and can be the most cost-effective way of getting an aviation education.
Do I need a 4 year degree?
Before you even consider applying to one of the above schools, it's important to ask the question: do I need a four year degree in the first place? While there are undoubtedly advantages to conventional four year degrees for some candidates, they are by no means necessary. As a matter of fact, a massive portion of our contractors don't have a bachelors degree at all!
So what DO I need?
To earn your A&P certification (more on that below), you'll need to (in almost all situations) attend an AMTS, or "Aircraft Maintenance Technician School". These are programs that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to train aviation mechanics to the highest standards. From within this umbrella, there are a huge array of options around the country, which the FAA handily provides a search for here.
Will it hurt my job options?
In our experience, while a college degree always looks good on a resume, it's only a small part of the total hiring process. If you're eager to start working as soon as possible, we'd recommend checking out a shorter certificate or degree program, but if you're still unsure if the aviation space is where you want to end up, four year degrees will give you a little bit more time to make your decision, as well as training you in a few other non-aviation areas that might not be covered in a shorter program.
Top 4 Year Schools in the US
A recent publication from gradreports.com that ranks schools based on tuition, potential salaries, and debt accrued from schooling shows that the top college for careers in the aviation industry (in the United States) is (drum roll please)...
The University of North TexasUNT was ranked number one in multiple areas, with programs that range from air and cargo operations to aviation law and aviation maintenance. The staff has years of industry-related experience, which helps provide a top-notch education as well as internships and job placement assistance after graduation. Additionally, it's low average yearly tuition of $20,000 is extremely competitive when compared against the top 20 aviation schools.
Coming in second and third are...
- Everglades University (formerly known as the American Flyers College), located in Boca Raton Florida
- Kansas State University
All these schools boast comprehensive four-year degrees with specialization fields ranging from aircraft maintenance to professional pilot courses. Purdue University in Indiana is another noteworthy aviation school, often coming up in rankings of the best colleges offering aviation degrees.
