For those wanting to become a pilot or pursue a career in the aviation industry, many have looked into attending aviation-centered colleges. It combines two four-year (on average) processes into one big experience that can have one ready to head for the airlines at the end of their educational period. But going into this path usually takes a lot of time and investment, as well as wanting to ensure both the educational and aviation side of things are of quality instruction. So it begs the question, what are the best aviation college programs in 2024? Of note for this article, the programs listed are not ranked in any order, these are simply the ones that stand out among others.

Purdue University

Consistently ranked as one of the best for aviation, Purdue University is a great school for both pilot prospects and those who want a general career in the aviation industry. Their programs both inside and outside the cockpit provide students with the necessary tools to set themselves up to enter the growing industry with proper preparation and education. Additionally, their partnerships with various airlines such as Envoy, Frontier, and Atlas Air (plus others) set up pathways for graduates to secure their jobs before graduating with a degree.  

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

With two campuses (Florida and Arizona), Embry Riddle is the big name that comes to pretty much anyone's mind when they put the words "college" and "aviation" together. With a renowned instructional faculty and modern training aircraft, ERAU is well set up to provide a student with exactly what they need to reach the airlines by the time they graduate college. Another benefit from ERAU is that for pilots specifically, there is a restricted ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) program where you can go to the airlines at 1,000 hours instead of the FAA-mandated 1,500 for all other methods of flight training. 

ERAU also offers a vast variety of outside-the-cockpit programs like Purdue but with even more spread on the opportunities available. Fields of study such as mechanical, law, and business are one of the many routes one could go at this heavily aviation-focused university.

Auburn University

As one of the oldest aviation college programs in the country, Auburn's 80 years of experience establishes themselves well in the ranks of the elite. Two of the school's biggest programs include professional flight training and aviation management. The school also has a vast minor program, allowing students to add to their degree with a smaller topic that they might find interesting and valuable to their career. Like the other schools listed, Auburn has plenty of airline partners, including some of the majors like Delta, United, Southwest, and JetBlue.

Western Michigan University

One of the few schools that doesn't fly Cessna's or Piper, Western Michigan University prides itself on a fleet of Cirrus SR22 training aircraft, a more modern platform that calls itself home at the largest aviation school in the Midwest. At Western Michigan, you'll find a stronger emphasis on those who want to take their flying career into the armed forces of our country. With a strong ROTC program, WMU focuses on sending the majority of its cadets to either the Air Force or Space Force. 

Kansas State University

Kansas State University pulls itself onto this list for its incredible flexibility in its programs. They have your standard in-person flight training and classroom curriculums, but they also cater to those who might already have their pilot certificate. With multiple programs focusing on professional aviation careers, one can earn their degree through a fully online course of study at a school where the acceptance rate is 98%. In addition, KSU focuses on making the normally expensive task of flight training a more affordable process, through the use of financial assistance and aviation-centered scholarships to lower the cost of flight hours.

Summary

Whether you are looking to fly, become a mechanic, or even study the business side of aviation, these colleges are some of the best suited for prospective students trying to get into their lifelong dream career. Be sure to do your research, tour all of the schools you are interested in, and make the decision that will have the best positive impact on both your goals and desires for life beyond college.