Top 10 Flights Schools in USA – Based on type of school

As an aspiring pilot, before joining a program, I was always looking out for the best school that has to offer flight training. I would be given with list of flight schools of different categories and the list would sometimes confuse me with what I want to do in the first place. Like do I need a degree, a diploma or just get my licences so that I can just start looking for pilot jobs.

So I thought of curating a list of top flight schools in USA based on the type of school and kind of programs that they offer. I will also provide an insight into what selecting different type of school can help you with.

Top 10 Universities in USA that offer flight training:

These are schools that offer four-year bachelor’s degrees or higher in aviation-related fields, such as aeronautical science, aviation management, aerospace engineering, etc. They usually have their own airports, aircraft, labs and facilities, and provide a comprehensive academic and practical education. They also have partnerships with airlines and other aviation employers for career opportunities. Some examples of universities that offer aviation programs are:

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The largest, oldest and most comprehensive aeronautical university in the US, with campuses in Daytona Beach, FL and Prescott, AZ. Offers a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science and has state-of-the-art aircraft, labs and facilities.
  Training costs for flight training can be found here.
• Purdue University: Offers a variety of aviation majors and has a rich history of aviation pioneers. Has a modern airport and flight simulator complex and partners with major airlines for career opportunities.
  Fee structure for Purdue University’s Professional Flight Program.
• Ohio State University: Has a renowned aviation program and a large fleet of aircraft. Offers a variety of aviation majors and electives, including flight education, airport management and air transportation analysis.
  Training costs for flight training can be found here
• University of North Dakota: Has the largest collegiate training fleet in the world and offers more than 500 scholarships to aviation students. Offers several aviation majors and minors, including unmanned aircraft systems operations, air traffic control and aviation meteorology.
  Training costs for flight training can be found here
• Western Michigan University: Has a nationally recognized College of Aviation and a state-of-the-art facility. Offers bachelor’s degrees in aviation flight science, aviation management and operations, and aviation maintenance technology.
  More information on Aviation programs at WMU can be found here
• California Institute of Technology: A prestigious research institution with a strong focus on aerospace engineering. Offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and has world-class faculty and facilities.
  Training costs for flight training can be found here
• Auburn University: Auburn is a very old college and they have been teaching people to be pilots for 80 years. Students can learn to fly planes or learn how to manage them. They can also choose another subject as their major and add on a flying or managing minor. Auburn also partnered with big airlines like Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest, and United which makes it one of the best places to study aviation.
  More information about Auburn University’s Professional Flight Program can be found here
• Arizona State University Polytechnic: Has a modern campus and a comprehensive aviation program. Offers bachelor’s degrees in professional flight, air traffic management, aviation management, unmanned aerial systems, and aerospace engineering.
  Training costs and other information for ASU can be found here
• San Jose State University : At the College of Engineering, the Aviation and Technology Department offers a bachelor’s degree in professional flight. This can help you become a professional pilot. You can also get your pilot rating from Trade Winds Aviation or Squadron 2 which are both FAA approved schools in San Jose. When you finish this program, you will have your private pilot certificate, instrument rating, and commercial pilot certificate.
  More information about the Professional Pilot program offered by San Jose State University can be found here
• Florida Institute of Technology: The Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida has lots of different aviation degrees. You can get an associate’s degree all the way up to a doctorate. Some classes are online too. One special thing about the school is that they teach you how to fly turbojets as part of their program. They also have a program with the FAA for air traffic control and a Bachelor of Science degree.
  More information on the programs offered by Florida Institute of technology on Aviation can be found here

Top 10 Colleges in USA that offer flight training:

These are schools that offer two-year associate’s degrees or certificates in aviation-related fields, such as aviation technology, aviation maintenance, professional pilot, etc. They usually have smaller campuses and fleets, but provide a more affordable and faster option for students who want to enter the aviation industry. They also have partnerships with airlines and other aviation employers for career opportunities. Top 10 colleges in USA that offer flight training are:

• Sinclair Community College: Offers four aviation programs, including aviation maintenance, unmanned aerial systems, professional pilot and avionics technology. Has an FAA-approved testing center on campus and provides hands-on training with drones and simulators.
  More information on Professional Pilot Program offered by Sinclair Community College can be found here
• Orange Coast College: Offers two aviation programs, including aviation science and commercial pilot. Has an FAA-approved flight school on campus and provides flight training at John Wayne Airport.
  Information of estimated cost and other program information for Orange Coast College can be found here
• Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Has four campuses across three states that offer several Associate of Applied Science aviation-focused degree programs. Also offers diploma programs and certificate courses in various aviation fields.
  More information about Spartan College Aviation Program here
• Dade College : Dade College, located in Miami, Florida, offers various programs related to airplanes. These programs include an associate degree in aviation administration and aviation maintenance management, and also 8 certificate programs such as air cargo management and airport management.
  More information about Dade College’s offerings on pilot training can be found here
• Glendate Community College: Gendale Community College (GCC), located in California, has an excellent aviation program. Students can secure internships and jobs with local employers. GCC offers training for both pilots and flight attendants/career in travel. At the Whiteman Airport Facility in Pacoima, students can undergo pilot training that prepares them for either a private or commercial license. They will receive flight training and can take the FAA exams to obtain their certifications for private pilot, commercial pilot, and instrument rating. More Information here
• Hinds Community College: Hinds is a college in Raymond, Mississippi. They have a program for getting your private pilot license. You can learn to fly at John Bell Williams Airport which belongs to Hinds. The college has modern planes and flight simulators so you can practice flying. 
  More information about Pilot training programs offered by Hinds Community College can be found here
• Texas State Technical College: TSTC is a college in Waco, Texas. It is 90 miles away from Dallas. TSTC is one of the best aviation colleges in Texas. They have programs to learn about airplane parts, how to be a pilot, and how planes work with computers. You can get an aviation education at the main campus in Waco or satellite campuses in Harlingen and Abilene.
  More information here.
• Sacramento City College (SCC): SCC is a college in Sacramento, California. It is one of the best flight schools in the state. At SCC, you can get certificates or degrees to learn about air traffic control, aircraft dispatcher and flight technology. Certificates take one year and degrees take two years to finish.
  More information about Sacramento City College’s aviation programs can be found here
• Chandler Gilbert Community College: This is located in Chandler, Arizona. The Aviation program teaches students about airplanes. It will help them pass tests to fly planes. The program includes classes about flying and courses on the ground. Students learn how to fly private and commercial airplanes, how to read instruments, how to teach others to fly, and airline operations. More information here 

Top 10 Flight Schools in USA that offer flight training:

These are schools that focus on providing flight training for students who want to obtain various pilot licenses and ratings, such as private pilot, commercial pilot, instrument rating, flight instructor, etc. They usually operate at local airports and have a variety of aircraft for rent or lease. They also have instructors and examiners who can guide and evaluate students’ progress. Top 10 flight schools in USA that offer pilot training are:

• ATP Flight School: The largest flight training establishment in the US, with 71 training centers located in 31 states. Offers an accelerated Airline Career Pilot Program that can be completed in seven months and has partnerships with major airlines for career opportunities.
  Information of cost of training and other information can be found here for ATP Flight School
• Aeroguard Flight Training: Has four locations across three states that offer an accelerated flight training program with connections to multiple airlines. Also offers an affiliate partnership with Liberty University for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation online or on-campus.
  Information on cost and other requirements can be found here for Aeroguard Flight Training.
• Coast Flight Training: Located in San Diego, CA, near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Offers professional pilot programs, airline pilot programs, instrument rating courses, commercial pilot courses and flight instructor courses. Also offers scholarships and financing options for students.
  Cost details can be found here for Coast Flight Training.
• CTI Professional Flight Training: Has two locations in Millington, TN and Fort Lauderdale, FL. Offers professional pilot programs, instrument rating courses, commercial pilot courses and flight instructor courses. Also offers scholarships and financing options for students.
  Information for CTI Professional Flight Training can be found here.
• Alliance Flight Training: Located in Watkins, CO, near Denver International Airport. Offers professional pilot programs, instrument rating courses, commercial pilot courses and flight instructor courses. Also offers scholarships and financing options for students.
  More information on Alliance Flight Training can be found here
• Flight Safety Academy: Located in Vero Beach, FL, near Vero Beach Regional Airport. Offers professional pilot programs, airline transport pilot programs, instrument rating courses, commercial pilot courses and flight instructor courses. Also offers scholarships and financing options for students.
  Course search tool for the programs offered by FlightSafety Academy can be found here
• American Flyers: Has six locations across four states that offer professional pilot programs, instrument rating courses, flight instructor courses and recurrent training courses. Also offers online courses and simulator training.
  More information about pilot training programs by American Flyer here
• Epic Flight Academy: Located in New Smyrna Beach, FL, near Daytona Beach International Airport. Offers professional pilot programs, instrument rating courses, commercial pilot courses and flight instructor courses. Also offers scholarships and financing options for students.
  Cost and program information for flight training at Epic Flight Academy can be found here
• L3Harris Flight Academy: Located in Sanford, FL, near Orlando International Airport. Offers professional pilot programs, airline pilot programs, instrument rating courses, commercial pilot courses and flight instructor courses. Also offers scholarships and financing options for students.
  Information on different pilot training programs offered by L3 Harris can be found here

Selecting a flight school is of utmost importance for success in an aviation career, but it also depends on various other factors like budget and preference in addition to just the popularity of the school. Make sure to do thorough research on a flight school or program that suits your needs before making a choice. For guidance on selecting school checkout this blog post about how to select a flight school.