4 Year Aviation Colleges: 50 Best Colleges With Aviation Programs

· Updated July 17, 2024 · 11 minutes · by Kamerpower ·

4 Year Aviation Colleges In US: 50 Best Colleges With Aviation Programs. Aviation has always been a captivating field for those who dream of taking flight and exploring the skies. With an industry that continues to thrive and evolve, aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts seek out the best colleges with top-notch aviation programs to receive comprehensive training and education. From renowned flight schools to prestigious universities, these institutions not only provide exceptional academic curriculum but also offer state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty members, and valuable hands-on experiences. 

The industry encompasses a varied assortment of skilled professionals, including pilots, engineers, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and airport managers.

List Of Top 10 Colleges For Aviation Degrees

• Orange Coast College.
• Ivy Tech Community College.
• Western Michigan University.
• Purdue University
• Ohio University.
• Sinclair Community College
• San Jacinto Community College
• Bowling Green State University
• University of Alaska Anchorage.
• LeTourneau University
• Ohio State University.

In this article, we will explore some of the best 4 year aviation colleges with aviation programs that are shaping the future of aviation professionals. Whether you aspire to become a pilot, air traffic controller, or aircraft technician, these institutions serve as launching pads for successful careers in the dynamic world of aviation.

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Top 50 Aviation Colleges In US

1. Western Michigan University

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.

2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is unique in offering separate majors for students who want to fly either fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. Named as one of the best aviation colleges by Grad Reports. Students at this private school are also connected to big names in aviation like United, JetBlue, and Delta.

3. San José State University

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.

4. University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma is also listed 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.

5. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakotahas majors in commercial aviation, aviation studies, aviation safety and operations, in addition to majors in aviation management. Not all colleges with aviation programs offer training in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). UND’s strong UAS program gives students opportunities to interact with companies like Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and SkySkopes.

6. Utah State University.

Students can choose at Utah State University to focus in 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.

7. Saint Louis University

A private Catholic, Jesuit university, SLU offers smaller class sizes and individual flight instruction. 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. 

8. Purdue University

Purdue University is a public college located in West Lafayette, Indiana. With 7 different ungraduated aviation majors, Purdue offers a broad range of study for aviation enthusiasts. 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.

9. Baylor University

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.

10. Kansas State University.

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. You can also opt for a professional pilot degree if you’re looking to receive pilot training while enrolled.

11. Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Institute of Technology(Florida Tech) is home to one of the country’s more robust aviation colleges. With 7 associate’s degree programs and 9 bachelor’s degrees programs, this university’s range of majors include aeronautical science, aviation meteorology, and aviation management. Students who plan to become pilots can pursue an aeronautical science degree that specializes in flight.

12. Ohio University

With both 2-year and 4-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.

13. Bowling Green State University

As also one of the best colleges with aviation programs, Bowling Green State University is one of the few colleges that can claim to have a regional airport right on campus. 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.

14. South Dakota State University

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.

15. Auburn University

Auburn is one of the oldest colleges with aviation programs in the US. 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 onto a major in another discipline.

16. Sinclair Community College

A community college based in Dayton, Ohio, Sinclair is among the best flight schools in the state. The school offers several technical certificate and associate degree programs, along with bachelor’s degrees in aviation technology/professional pilot and unmanned aerial systems. Sinclair’s aviation programs prepare graduates for many different roles in the industry, including pilot, aircraft dispatcher, mechanic, aviation manager, and unmanned aerial systems operator.

17. Orange Coast College

As one of the best aviation colleges in the state, Orange Coast College(OCC) offers several aviation science programs, including an associate of science degree and several professional certifications. OCC graduates can work as pilots in many different industries, including government, emergency transport, law enforcement, and commercial airlines. OCC students train in advanced flight simulator labs and on the school’s fleet of Piper and Cessna planes.

18. Ivy Tech Community College – ITCC

ITCC ranks among the best flight schools in Indiana. This two-year college offers aviation programs in four major areas: aviation maintenance technology, aviation management, aviation manufacturing, and aviation technology/flight. ITCC offers several types of aviation programs, including associate degrees, certificates, technical certificates, and workforce certifications. The aviation maintenance technology program trains students to service and maintain aircraft, with courses offered face-to-face at ITCC’s Aviation Center at Smith Field in Fort Wayne.

19. San Jacinto Community College

San Jac offers a cutting-edge aerospace technical training program that prepares students for careers in the burgeoning aerospace industry. The program trains students for manufacturing and mechanical technician positions in aerospace environments. Candidates complete orientation and technical core courses before choosing a technical track, such as aerospace mechanical technician, aerospace quality technician, mechatronics and industrial automation technician, or aerospace electrical assembly technician. The program uses a hybrid format that combines on-campus and online courses.

20. University of Alaska Anchorage

The school’s Aviation Technology Division offers degree and certificate programs in air traffic control, aviation management, aviation maintenance technology, and professional piloting. The aviation management program offers both associate and bachelor’s degree options, preparing students for administrative and managerial roles in the aviation field. Students build the organizational, managerial, technical, and human relations skills necessary to navigate large-scale aviation operations.

21. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus – BGSU

BGSU’s aviation school offers a bachelor’s degree with two specializations: flight technology and operations and aviation management and operations. This Ohio-based public college boasts modern facilities and cutting-edge aviation technology, preparing students for careers such as airline pilot, airport manager, aviation consultant, and airfield specialist.

22. University of Southern California

A prestigious private college based in Los Angeles, USC offers a unique aviation safety and security certification program. USC offers two certificates: an aviation safety and security management certificate and a system safety certificate. The safety and security management program takes a multidisciplinary approach to safety, examining topics in accident investigation, human factors, technology, and aviation safety management.

23. Hinds Community College

A two-year college based in Raymond, Mississippi, Hinds offers an associate of arts in commercial aviation that prepares students to obtain their private pilot license. Candidates complete flight training at John Bell Williams Airport, which is owned by Hinds. Students benefit from several modern aircraft and flight simulation facilities. Candidates complete a total of 63 credits over the course of four semesters (two years). The program includes courses like private pilot flight, applied meteorology, and aircraft engine operation.

24. Liberty University

A private evangelical college based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty ranks among the best flight schools for Christian students. Liberty’s School of Aeronautics offers bachelor’s programs in aeronautics, aviation administration, and aviation maintenance. The aeronautics program offers concentrations in commercial/corporate and global studies, military, and unmanned aerial systems. Students can also pursue an associate degree in aviation maintenance technician and an online master’s in aeronautics.

25. Minnesota State University-Mankato

One of the most affordable aviation schools in the Midwest, Minnesota State Mankato boasts accreditation from both the FAA and the Aviation Accreditation Board International. The school offers a bachelor of science in aviation with three emphasis areas: aeronautics, aviation management, and professional flight. Students can also pursue three related minors in aeronautics, private flight, and professional flight.

26. Glendale Community College (GCC)

GCC maintains a reputation as one California’s best aviation colleges. Students benefit from GCC’s strong industry connections, offering students opportunities to connect with internship and job opportunities with local employers. GCC offers aviation programs in pilot training and flight attendant/travel career. The pilot training program prepares students to enter the commercial aviation field as commercial or private pilots. Flight training for the program takes place at the Whiteman Airport Facility in Pacoima. The program prepares students to sit for the FAA’s private pilot, commercial pilot, and instrument rating examinations.

27. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)

TSTC ranks among the best aviation colleges in Texas. The school offers aviation programs in airframe technology, aircraft pilot training, powerplant technology, and avionics technology. TSTC provides aviation education from its main campus in Waco and satellite campuses in both Harlingen and Abilene. The school offers an associate degree and a certificate in airframe technology, both of which train students to serve as aircraft mechanics. Graduates can pursue occupational licensure.

28. Miami Dade College

The school offers associate degrees in aviation administration, aviation maintenance management, professional pilot technology, and transportation and logistics. Students can also choose from eight professional certificate programs in areas like air cargo management, passenger services agent, international freight transportation, and airport management.

29. Sacramento City College.

A two-year community college based in Sacramento, California, SCC ranks among the best flight schools in the state. Students can choose from associate degrees in air traffic control, aircraft dispatcher, and flight technology, along with certificate programs in aircraft dispatcher and flight technology. The school’s certificate programs last one year, while associate degrees last two years. SCC’s air traffic control program operates in partnership with the FAA’s Collegiate Training Institute, and the program covers all of the FAA’s designated learning objectives.

30. Elizabeth City State University.

As the only Four-year Collegiate Aviation Education Program in North Carolina, It offers a standout aviation program that is the only one of its kind in the state. ECSU’s Aviation Science program stands out for its diverse concentration areas. These include flight education, Air Traffic Control, computer science, and aviation management. This range of programs allows students to focus on their specific interests within the aviation industry.

Why Get A Professional Degree In Aviation?

#1. 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.

#2. Licensure And Certification

Aviation programs prepare students for various types of licensure and certification, which are required for pilot careers. Advanced certification can also increase employment prospects.

#3. Professional Advancement

Professional flight training is a universal requirement for pilots. Earning a degree is the surest path to a career in the aviation field.

#4. 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.

#5. 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.

Conclusion

Attending a 4-year aviation college can provide students with an excellent foundation for a successful career in the aviation industry. These colleges offer comprehensive programs that combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, preparing students for various roles such as pilots, aircraft technicians, air traffic controllers, and more.

The rigorous curriculum and experienced faculty ensure that graduates are well-equipped to meet the challenges of this dynamic field. Additionally, these colleges often have strong industry connections and internship opportunities, helping students establish valuable professional networks before entering the workforce. If you have a passion for aviation and are seeking a solid education in this field, enrolling in a 4-year aviation college can be an ideal choice to launch your career on the runway to success.