Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation is a highly-regarded competency that is cherished by many companies.
The demand for flight professionals is very high, so students won’t have any issues obtaining high-paying job positions once they graduate.
There are many amazing educational institutions that offer some of the best aviation degree programs in the nation.
However, we’ve compiled a list of only the best programs one can find in the US, so make sure to check it out:
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University offers an online degree program in Aviation Studies.
This university is one of the most renowned educational institutions when it comes to aviation.
It has been awarded the Loening Trophy and the American Airlines Safety Awards consecutively for the past five years.
The school promotes a Christian view of the world, and there is a required 12-credit-hour Theology course.
In total, students are required to complete 122 credit hours, 27 of which are elective courses and 33 hours of major courses.
Students will learn about the following topics:
- Business Ethics
- Aviation Management
- Aviation Safety Factors
- Financial Analysis for Managers
Upon completion, students will be able to work in the fields of airport management, aviation operations, and maintenance.
Each of the courses can be finished in three to seven weeks, and all students are required to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
Official WebsiteNorth Carolina State University
North Carolina State University offers an online 127-credit-hour degree program in Aerospace Engineering.
Students will gain extensive knowledge in manufacturing, analysis, and aircraft and space systems design.
This degree program is a mixture of science and engineering, and it focuses on hands-on experience and application.
Students are required to complete the following coursework:
- Structures
- Engineering Dynamics
- Aerodynamics Design and System Performance
The degree can be earned in up to five years through the school’s accelerated program.
Some of the topics students will cover include:
- Air-breathing Propulsion
- Aerodynamic Vehicle Performance
- Aerodynamic Structures
- Compressible Aerodynamics
- Aerodynamic Vehicle Design
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology has an amazing online degree program in Aviation Management.
Upon completion, students will be able to seek careers in the following areas:
- Freight and Cargo
- Airport Management
- Airport Security
This university is one of the six FAA partners in aviation and aerospace education.
Students will be able to obtain a diploma within four weeks.
Official WebsiteVaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Vaughn College offers an abundance of degree programs in the field of aviation, including the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Sciences
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aircraft Operations
The curriculum follows all the latest industry standards and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as well as the FAA.
Vaughn College will provide students with a top-notch education that will allow them to quickly find job opportunities as pilots and aviation and aircraft operations managers.
The program has 124 credit hours, and students have to complete 63 lecture and laboratory credits to obtain a diploma.
The program can be finished in up to four years.
Official WebsiteEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers another great online degree program in Aeronautics.
This program is ideally suited for individuals who’d like to work in the aviation industry.
The university also accepts transfer credits, and it offers military benefits.
The program has 120 credit hours and can be completed in up to three years.
The school offers a wide variety of courses – more than 500, to be precise.
Some of the topics students will learn about include:
- Private Pilot Operations
- Airman Knowledge Test Preparation
- General Aeronautics and Applications
- Aircraft Electrical System Theory
- Airframe Systems
Everglades University
Everglades University has a stellar online degree program in Aviation and Aerospace.
The program has 123 credit hours and can be completed in three and a half years.
Students will get to learn about various aspects of the industry, including communications, but also the technical skills needed to succeed.
There are many specializations, including the following:
- Aviation Operations Management
- Security
- Aviation Safety
- Flight Operation
- Management
- Aviation Maintenance Management
Upon completion, graduates will be fully ready to become well-suited aviation professionals who have an excellent command of all the laws, regulations, principles, and operations.
Official WebsiteSouthern Illinois University - Carbondale
The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has a fantastic degree program in Aviation Management that can be completed in up to two years.
The curriculum is very extensive and detailed, and it will fully prepare students for a future career in aviation.
Instructors focus on hands-on learning, and some of the topics they will cover include:
- Air Traffic Control
- Flight
- Military
- Avionics Technology
- Aircraft Operations Support
- Government Agencies
Students will be able to choose between the following minors:
- Airport Management and Planning
- Aircraft Product Support
- Air Traffic Control
Hampton University
Hampton University had an amazing online degree program in Aviation Management that is offered via their Department of Aviation.
Besides aviation studies, students will also need to take liberal arts classes and develop their problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
Some of the topics that the curriculum covers include:
- Aviation History
- Airport Planning
- Flight Safety
- Weather & Climate
- Homeland Security
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The program has 120 credit hours, and students are also required to complete a one-credit aviation seminar within the first six weeks.
Just before graduation, students also have to finish a three-credit-hour practicum.
Official WebsiteUniversity of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh offers a top-notch online degree program in Aviation Management that can be completed in up to two years.
By attending this course, prospective students will gain vast knowledge and leadership skills needed to advance in the aviation industry rapidly.
Here, students are encouraged to have hands-on experience, but also learn about management and administration.
These are some of the primary curriculum focuses:
- Airline Production and Operations Management
- Aviation Labor Relations
- Airline Management
- Aviation law
- Aviation or Aerospace Systems Analysis Methods
The school also accepts up to 60 hours of transfer credits.
Official WebsiteLiberty University
When it comes to online education, Liberty University is at the top of the list.
They offer some amazing bachelor degree programs, and one of the standouts is their Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree.
Here, instructors are focused on providing students with a great practical education, but also to teach them highly-valuable decision-making skills which will help them advance in their prospective careers.
Upon completion, students will be able to work as military, missionary, or commercial pilots.
The curriculum is highly praised by former students, and it requires 120 credit hours to complete – up to three and a half years is needed to graduate.
Official WebsiteLynn University
Lynn University offers a great online 120-credit-hour degree program in Aviation Management.
However, their selection and application process are very strenuous, as the school only accepts 75 students per term.
This school is known for producing amazing industry experts thanks to its extensive curriculum and top-notch instructors.
Lynn University takes pride in offering a custom-tailored education to students that will help them obtain internship positions, as well as many great job opportunities.
Here are some of the things students will learn about:
- Cockpit Training
- Simulation
- Aircrew Training
- Ground Personnel
- Industry Management
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University offers the following online degree programs in the field of aviation:
- Bachelor of Science in Professional Piloting
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management
By attending any of these courses, students will learn and train to become private or corporate pilots and will have a competitive advantage once they have obtained the diploma.
Many of their former students have found jobs in famous airline companies, corporate flight departments, and cargo carriers.
The curriculum combines the best of both worlds – extensive industry knowledge and management.
Overall, this is an amazing institution that takes pride in producing some of the best industry experts.
Official WebsiteHallmark University
Hallmark University’s online degree program in Aviation Science is rated as the best in all of Texas, and it’s also a frequent member of the FAA’s Top 10 list.
The degree can be earned in up to two years, and students will have a non-stop access to the course material through the school’s online system.
If you’d like to work in airport management, airlines, or any other aviation-related job position, then this degree program is the perfect fit for you.
Official WebsiteWestern Michigan University
Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation offers one of the best and biggest aviation programs in the state.
Students will be able to earn a degree in the field of Aviation Management and Operations.
The curriculum is very modern and follows all the latest industry standards, making this course very competitive and sought-after.
Students will learn about the following aspects of aviation:
- Aviation Insurance
- Aircraft Sales
- Aviation Marketing
- Aviation
- Covering Airport
- Operations
- Safety Management
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers two amazing online degree programs in Aviation Management and Aviation Science – Professional Pilot.
The curriculum is comprehensive and up-to-date, and it was carefully designed to help students gain all the relevant knowledge and skills needed to excel in the aviation industry.
Students will get vast knowledge of both the technical aspects, but also about management.
Upon completion, students will be fully capable of seeking competitive jobs in airport management or become professional pilots.
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Q. What Are the Job Prospects For Individuals Who Have a Diploma in Aviation?
According to the recent statistic information, job prospects are likely to increase by up to 4% by the end of 2026.
Holders of this degree will have a great competitive advantage when seeking future job opportunities.
Overall, a degree will allow individuals to earn higher salaries and land higher-paying jobs such as pilots, flight engineers, or aviation managers.
Q. Is Accreditation Important For Degree Programs in Aviation?
Accreditation is a unique form of educational quality assurance where the school’s programs and curriculum are evaluated by a recognized body to see if it meets the quality standards.
Many of those standards are severe, so attending an accredited degree program is a big plus.
When it comes to aviation programs, in particular, the designed accreditation body is the Aviation Accreditation Board International, whose stamp of approval is very respected.
Q. How Long Does it Take to Obtain a Diploma in Aviation?
It usually takes up to three years to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree for both online and on-campus degree programs.
Most of the courses have 120 credit hours.
However, the overall number of classes, different types of majors, and core focuses may vary depending on the selected educational institution.
Most of the aviation degree programs accept transfer credits from military or FAA-related work experience.
Overall, everything depends on the specific institution you select to go with and degree program you opt for.
When it comes to professional piloting, students usually also have to meet the flight time requirements and pass the FAA’s pilot licensing exam.
Final Thoughts
By attending any of the schools mentioned above, students will gain amazing credentials that will help them land lucrative jobs.
Earning a degree in aviation can be a strenuous process, but it’s almost guaranteed to pay-off in the long run.
These are just some of many great jobs students will be qualified to seek:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Operations Technician
- Private Pilot
- Commercial Pilot
- Air Traffic Controller