18 Best Aviation Colleges in 2025

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the world at the helm of an airplane, aviation college might be the place for you. At the best aviation colleges, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of flying aircraft and aeronautics, opening up doors to rewarding careers as private, commercial, and cargo pilots. Not the cubicle type? With perks of the job that include a front-row seat to epic views, a flexible work schedule, and the satisfaction of safely transporting passengers to their final destination, it’s clear that aviation is one of the most unique career paths out there.

Best Aviation Colleges – Education and Training

It’s a common misconception that only people who study aviation are those who want to become pilots. In reality, aviation studies comprises everything from the management of airports, aeronautical engineering, and even unmanned aerial systems (drones). In other words, as a student in aviation studies, you might take classes on everything from the Theory of Flight to Cargo Management.

To be sure, if you want to become a commercial or airline pilot, you’ll likely need need to earn a bachelor’s degree in aviation. For this, you’ll need to learn about the mechanics and physics of flight, meteorology, safety, aviation law, and leadership on top of required flight training hours. However, if you want to become a flight controller or revenue management analyst, you’ll take classes like Aviation Business or Airspace Management. (There are even certificates in Aviation Hospitality Management.) All this to say, aviation studies isn’t just for future pilots — it’s for anyone who wants to be involved in the world-wide aviation economy.

In addition to in-state tuition, know that you may have additional charges and fees related to certifications and training. As such, be sure to carefully research what is included in each college’s tuition and fee schedule.

Best Aviation Colleges – Career Opportunities

Studying in an aviation program opens the door to a wide range of careers across flight operations, technical fields, safety, and management. One major pathway is flight and pilot careers, which include commercial airline pilots, private or corporate pilots, and helicopter pilots. These roles focus on operating aircraft and often involve extensive flight training and certifications. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median pay for airline and commercial pilots was $198,100 per year in 2024. Jobs for pilots are expected to grow by 4% between 2024 and 2034, which is about as fast as average.

At the same time, as noted above, studying in an aviation program can lead to a whole host of different careers. For example, students who are interested in the nuts and bolts of flight can study to become aircraft maintenance engineers, aerospace engineers, or maintenance managers. These professionals maintain aircraft systems, electronics, and structural design to ensure aircraft are safe, efficient, and airworthy.

Aviation programs also prepare students for air traffic and airport operations roles. Air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, airport operations managers, and safety officers coordinate aircraft movements, manage airports, and maintain safety standards within the aviation system. For those interested in leadership and planning, aviation management and business careers are available. These include airline managers, airport managers, aviation operations managers, and consultants who oversee daily operations and long-term strategy.

Finally, aviation programs support specialized and emerging careers, such as drone pilots, aviation safety investigators, aviation meteorologists, and accident investigators, reflecting the evolving nature of the aviation industry.

Whatever your interest, studying aviation can lead to a challenging, well-paying career field that offers you opportunities for continuous hands-on learning and real-time problem-solving.

The 15 Best Aviation Colleges

Ready to find the best aviation colleges for you? The good news is there are as many types of colleges with aviation programs as there are airplanes in the sky. Read on to see which of these high-quality programs will be the best fit for your own needs and goals.

Note: The criteria considered in compiling this list included peer reputation, unique programs/opportunities, and career connections/outcomes data. As with all rankings, we advise not to place too much emphasis on whether a school was listed at #4, #6, or #12. The better way to use this list would be as a launching point to further explore each of the 15 schools—which all have phenomenal aviation programs—to see which best suits your unique needs. 

1) Purdue University

• Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
• Tuition: $9,992 (in-state) / $28,794 (out-of-state)

Consistently ranked one of the best aviation colleges, Purdue University is a public college located in West Lafayette, Indiana. With 7 different undergraduate aviation majors, Purdue offers a broad range of study for aviation enthusiasts. You can even become a pilot through their professional flight major. Or, if you don’t want to focus on flight, study aeronautical engineering or airport and airline management. As a Purdue student, you can count on solid industry connections and internships with airline partners such as Envoy, Frontier, and Atlas Air.

Related: How to Get Into Purdue: Acceptance Rates & Strategies

2) Auburn University

• Location: Auburn, Alabama
• Tuition: $13,319 (in-state) / $36,022 (out-of-state)

With more than 80 years of experience educating pilots, Auburn runs one of the oldest aviation programs in the nation. Undergraduate students can choose between a major in professional flight and aviation management. Those with multiple academic interests can opt to add a minor in either field to a major in another discipline. Auburn’s notable partnerships with major airlines such as Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest, and United are also a big part of what help make it one of the best aviation colleges.

3) Baylor University

• Location: Waco, Texas
• Tuition: $63,620

A private, Christian college in Waco, Texas, Baylor allows students to major in aviation sciences or aviation administration at a faith-based university. Future pilots will want to pursue the aviation sciences major, where they can choose whether to focus on airplane or helicopter flight. Classes are taught by faculty with real-world experience in commercial, corporate, and military aviation. Intent on setting their students on the path to becoming successful pilots, Baylor also allows their students to earn major credit through their Aviation Internship in Industry course.

4) Western Michigan University

• Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Tuition: $15,816 (in-state) / $19,736 (out-of-state)

Boasting a fleet of 28 Cirrus SR20s for pilots-in-training, Western Michigan University is home to the largest flight school in the Midwest. At this public university, students can pursue majors in aviation flight science, aviation technical operation, and aviation management. WMU also offers helpful career development for students planning to enlist after completing their degrees. Through the ROTC program, undergraduates can qualify for leadership positions in the Air Force or Space Force post-graduation.

5) Kansas State University

• Location: Salina, Kansas
• Tuition: $341.23 per credit (in-state) / $919.54 per credit (out-of-state)

Located at their Salina campus, Kansas State University’s aviation program offers a wide array of majors and certificates that prepare students for a variety of careers. Students who have already earned their pilot’s license can earn their bachelor’s in professional aviation through a fully online program. Or, if you’re looking to receive pilot training while enrolled, you can opt for a professional pilot degree. KSU has a 98% acceptance rate and aims to make tuition and flight hours affordable for all through financial assistance and aviation-specific scholarships.

6) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Location: Prescott, Arizona
• Tuition: $45,888

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is unique in offering separate majors for students who want to fly either fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. Named one of the best aviation colleges by Grad Reports, Embry-Riddle has reason to brag: their Golden Eagles Flight Team has won 36 consecutive regional championships and 15 national SAFECON championships. Students at this private school are also connected to big names in aviation like United, JetBlue, and Delta.

Related: Embry-Riddle Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and Tuition

7) Florida Institute of Technology

• Location: Melbourne, Florida
• Tuition: $43,220

Florida Tech is home to one of the country’s more robust aviation colleges. With 3 associates degree programs and 4 bachelor’s degree programs, this university’s range of majors includes aeronautical science, aviation meteorology, and aviation management. Students who plan to become pilots can pursue an aeronautical science degree that specializes in flight. While studying, students can choose an ROTC pathway or join the career pathway program that leads to jobs with ExpressJet or Delta. Florida Tech students can also apply for a master’s degree in aviation or an accelerated MBA program.

8) University of Oklahoma

• Location: Norman, Oklahoma
• Tuition: $5,370 (in-state) / $23,490 (out-of-state)

Flying Magazine lists the University of Oklahoma as one of the best aviation colleges in the nation. At UO, you can choose to apply to their aviation management or professional pilot track. Paid and volunteer opportunities at Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and UPS are sure to give you great connections that will jump-start your career. Lower tuition rates compared to other colleges with aviation programs keep this university affordable.

9) Ohio University

• Location: Athens, Ohio
• Tuition: $14,582  (in-state) / $25,796 (out-of-state)

With both two-year and four-year pathways to becoming a pilot, Ohio University lets you choose whether to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in aviation. In the associate’s program, you will earn a private pilot certificate, instrument rating, and a commercial pilot certificate. Students pursuing the bachelor’s degree will take additional coursework in business management and meteorology plus advanced flight training courses in flight crew operations and corporate flight operations.

10) University of North Dakota

• Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota
• Tuition: $11,624 (in-state) / $31,964

Lauded as one of the most comprehensive aviation programs in the nation, the University of North Dakota offers majors in commercial aviation, aviation studies, and aviation safety and operations in addition to majors in aviation management. Not all colleges with aviation programs offer training in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), but UND was the first in the nation to do so. UND’s strong UAS program gives students opportunities to interact with companies like Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and SkySkopes.

11) Bowling Green State University

• Location: Bowling Green, Ohio
• Tuition: $13,519 (in-state) / $21,507 (out-of-state)

While all of the best colleges with aviation programs have airport access, Bowling Green State University is one of the few colleges that can claim to have a regional airport right on campus, just a short walk from the residence halls. BGSU has majors in both flight technology and operations and aviation management and operations. They also offer an Army ROTC elective course for students planning to enlist. In 2021, BGSU invested $5 million into modernizing its fleet, expanding its flight operations, and bringing in state-of-the-art simulation training devices.

12) Utah State University

• Location: Logan, Utah
• Tuition: $8,778 (in-state) / $25,657 (out-of-state)

At Utah State University, students can choose to focus on fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or unmanned aerial systems. USU students learn to fly at the foot of the beautiful Wellsville Mountains while studying a comprehensive aviation program. USU also gives students a leg up as they start their careers with internships and cadet programs with SkyWest, Envoy, and American Airlines.

13) South Dakota State University

• Location: Brookings, South Dakota
• Tuition: $266.60 per credit (in-state) / $387 per credit (non-resident)

South Dakota State University offers an aviation degree with two specializations: aviation education or aviation maintenance management. In the education specialization, top students are often hired to work as flight instructors during their last two years. Maintenance management majors get hands-on experience working on planes in the hangar. This program is smaller in size and offers affordable out-of-state tuition rates compared to other colleges with aviation programs.

14) Saint Louis University

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri
• Annual Tuition: $56,960

Saint Louis University offers a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics with concentrations in aviation management and flight science, which prepares students for careers as professional pilots. SLU students have held internships with airlines such as Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and United. A private Jesuit university, SLU offers smaller class sizes and individual flight instruction. Its student-centered approach makes this university one of the best aviation colleges nationwide.

15) San José State University

• Location: San Jose, California
• Tuition: $8,846 (in-state) / $8,846 + $444 per credit (out-of-state)

San José State University offers four majors to aviation enthusiasts: aviation management, flight operations, professional flight, and maintenance management. For students who want to become pilots, the professional flight major offers a solid grounding in fundamental principles and advanced courses in aeronautics and avionics. SJSU also offers a for-credit internship course that offers students hands-on work experience.

16) SUNY Farmingdale

• Location: Farmingdale, New York
• Tuition: $7,070 (in-state) / $17,560 (out-of-state)

SUNY Farmingdale State College offers a well-established undergraduate aviation program, including a B.S. in Aeronautical Science (Professional Pilot) and a B.S. in Aviation Administration. The program features FAA Part 141 flight training at Republic Airport, AABI accreditation, college-owned aircraft, and coursework preparing students for pilot certification or aviation management careers.

17) Liberty University

• Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
• Tuition: $24,650

Liberty University’s undergraduate aviation offerings center on a flight-based Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration, which mixes aviation business and management coursework with FAA-approved flight training toward a private pilot certificate. This prepares students for roles in airport/airline operations, aviation business, and safety. The School of Aeronautics also offers related degrees in Aviation Technology, Aviation Management, and Aeronautics, with practical training, simulators, and industry-focused curriculum delivered from a Christian worldview.

18) Utah Valley University

• Location: Orem, Utah
• Tuition: $6,674 (in-state) / $18,992 (out-of-state)

Utah Valley University’s undergraduate aviation program includes Bachelor of Science degrees in Professional Pilot and Aviation Management, plus aviation science associate options. The professional pilot degree combines academic coursework with FAA Part 141-approved flight training preparing students for commercial pilot careers, while aviation management focuses on leadership and industry skills. UVU also offers flexible online aviation degree options, industry partnerships, and a fleet of aircraft for hands-on training at Provo Airport.

How to Choose the Best Aviation College for You

Unlike majors in broader fields like communications or sociology, aviation degrees are highly specialized degrees with lots of hands-on career training. When selecting which colleges with aviation programs to apply to, consider what kind of aviation you want to specialize in. Do you aspire to pilot for one of the world’s most popular airlines? Do you plan to join the military? Are you interested in operating unmanned aircraft systems? Many of the colleges with aviation programs listed above allow you to pick a specialization right away, but plenty also let you explore career options as you study.

In addition to specialization, consider other important factors like location, cost of attendance, campus culture, and internship and career opportunities so that you can make sure you get the most out of your college years.

Best Aviation Colleges – Related Majors

If you have a love of aircraft but you’re not sure if becoming a pilot is the right path for you, consider applying to colleges for aerospace engineering or colleges for mechanical engineering or explore College Transition’s Dataverse to learn more about other great college and career options.

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