Explore valuable information about attending college to become an airline pilot, including a list of accredited aviation programs at colleges in North America and abroad.
There are several paths to becoming a professional airline pilot. One of the most common is attending a university with an aviation/flight training program. Learn to fly, build flight hours, and earn your degree.
If you’re considering going to college to become a pilot, you may be wondering how to finance your education and training. Fortunately, there are a number of aviation-specific scholarships available.
Once you decide to pursue a career as a professional pilot, you should attend a school with a program accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). Below is a list of AABI-accredited programs and candidates, sorted by U.S. states and other locations.
College students pursuing their pilot’s license in a university program can take advantage of unique opportunities to learn from ALPA pilots. Our Education Committee has formed alliances with leading universities in North America to mentor aspiring aviators and help prepare them to join the piloting ranks.
Currently, we have professional development and/or mentoring programs at 17 university campuses:
We are also building relationships with more than a dozen other universities across the United States. Several of these universities are interested in formalizing a program with us, and we will continue to expand our outreach to other prestigious institutions.
Our aviation university outreach program offers two options:
Program Option 1
This option consists of one visit each semester by ALPA pilot volunteers. During these visits, ALPA pilots guest-speak in numerous classes, providing practical workplace examples and emphasizing professionalism. These day-long visits usually culminate in an evening forum, where ALPA pilots provide an industry overview and answer questions related to their segment of the airline industry.
Program Option 2
Option 2 involves establishing an on-campus, student-led Aviation Collegiate Education (ACE) Club, sponsored by ALPA. These clubs meet once or twice a month, over four months, each semester, to discuss a wide range of aviation-related subjects, including crew resource management, training, and preparing for airline pilot job interviews.
In addition to on-campus outreach, we organize annual field trips for students to tour airline operations and other aviation-related facilities. These field trips provide aspiring aviators with a behind-the-scenes look at how airlines operate and offer them first-hand experience of what it takes to be a professional airline pilot.
These initiatives, along with the campus visits, help students experience the profession through real-world scenarios, promoting more mature and well-rounded thinking. The programs have been highly successful and well received by both university faculty and students. In fact, Embry-Riddle Prescott encourages all aviation students to join ALPA’s ACE Club and exempts club members from a required professional development class. The ACE Club has also been recognized by the university for its positive impact on students and the campus community.
Start or join an on-campus, student-led Aviation Collegiate Education (ACE) Club. ALPA's Education Committee "Go Teams" will help you take flight.
The University Aviation Association (UAA) is a nonprofit organization that represents colleges and universities offering academic degree programs in aviation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The UAA's Collegiate Aviation Guide is a directory of departments in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and abroad that offer academic degrees and/or majors in aviation.
Anyone with a passion for aviation and the desire to fly can pursue a career as an airline pilot.
Learn about the qualifications and training pathways to becoming a professional pilot.
From flying passengers to putting out fires, the piloting profession offers a diverse range of career paths.
Five ALPA members share their unique experiences flying for different types of carriers.
