Тhe term aviation encompasses activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. In more simple words, aviation could just be defined as an act of flying while using an aircraft, such as an airplane. It also includes activities and industries related to flight, such as air traffic control.

In this article, we discuss some of the best aviation schools across the world.

What are the Best Countries to Study Aviation?

Besides looking into the best aviation schools in the world, it’s also worth it to check some of the top countries to study aviation. To give you an idea, your top destinations if you’re looking to become a pilot are the Sri Lanka, Greece, and the Philippines.

Sri Lanka is known for its affordable flight training programs, which are conducted in English. The country’s clear skies and diverse terrain provide a variety of opportunities for pilots to train in different environments. Greece is also a popular destination for aviation students due to its excellent flight training programs, which are recognized by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The country’s warm weather and scenic landscapes make it a great place to learn to fly.

Finally, the Philippines is another top destination for aviation students, offering affordable tuition fees and a wide range of training programs. The country’s tropical climate and diverse geography provide ideal conditions for pilots to gain experience in a variety of weather conditions and terrains.

Learn More: Best Countries to Study Aviation

Top Aviation Schools in the World

1. Purdue University

Purdue University is a public university in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. The School of Aviation and Transportation Technology is one of this university’s schools, and it offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of aviation studies.

As one of the best aviation schools in the world, Purdue University’s undergraduate studies offer the chance of majoring in several different fields of aviation, such as Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Aviation Management, Professional Flight, etc. This is depending on one’s interest and which studies and careers they want to pursue further. Graduate studies in aviation offer both master’s and PhD programs in aviation, as well as an Aviation Safety Management Graduate Certificate, which is an online graduate course. If you decide to pursue a graduate degree at this school, you can choose between MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management, and PhD in Aviation Technology and Management programs – or even both.

2. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA, founded in the late 19th century. The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is one of the colleges within the University of North Dakota, where its Department of Aviation can be found. This department offers both undergraduate and graduate aviation studies.

Undergraduate studies offer several different programs in the field of aviation, such as Air Traffic Management, Airport Management, Aviation Safety & Operations, etc, that can earn you a bachelor’s degree (BS or BBA) in aviation. Graduate programs consist of one MS, and one Ph.D. program – the MS in Aviation, and Ph.D. in Aerospace Sciences programs. Both programs give their students the opportunity of elevating their skills in order to develop their future careers in the world of aviation.

3. Ohio State University

The Ohio State University is a public university in Columbus, Ohio. College of Engineering is one of the colleges of this university, where its Center for Aviation Studies can be found, which offers undergraduate studies in aviation.

The Center for Aviation Studies claims its mission to be the incorporation of engineering, business, and behavioral philosophies into a multidisciplinary approach to the aviation industry. Being a top-notch aviation school, undergraduate studies at the Ohio State University’s Center for Aviation Studies offer three bachelor programs in aviation: Bachelor of Science in Aviation (under the College of Engineering), Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences: Air Transportation (in cooperation with the College of Arts & Sciences), and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Aviation Management (in cooperation with Fisher College of Business).

4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university, with its main campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, USA. As its name suggests, this university is focused on aviation and aerospace programs and studies. This university offers both undergraduate and graduate aviation studies, as well as several (graduate) certificates in the aviation field, professional programs, and summer camps.

Undergraduate studies at this aeronautical university offer various programs, such as BS in Aeronautical Science, BS in Aeronautics, BS in Aerospace Psychology (which is the only undergraduate degree of its kind in the US!), etc. Graduate programs consist of various master’s and PhD programs, such as MS in Aeronautics, MS in Aerospace Engineering, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, PhD in Aviation, etc. The only catch with this university and its programs is to check whether the program(s) you’re interested in is/are available in your preferred campus; or, if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll be able to attend your dream course online!

See Also: How to Study in USA for Free

5. Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is another one of the best aviation schools in the world. It is a public university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, founded at the beginning of the 20th century. College of Aviation is one of the colleges of this university that offers undergraduate aviation studies. This college promises to provide a bachelor’s degree that will lead to a lifetime of career opportunities in the world of aviation.

Undergraduate aviation studies at this college offer programs such as Aviation Flight Science, Aviation Technical Operation, Aviation Management and Operations, as well as Aviation Minors, special training, and an Air Force ROTC program, a specialized program designed to give the opportunity of becoming an Air Force or Space Force officer while earning a degree, to both men and women.

6. San José State University

San José State University is a public university in San Jose, California, and it’s considered to be the oldest public university on the West Coast, as well as the founding campus of the California State University system. The College of Engineering, with its Department of Aviation and Technology, is one of the colleges of the San José State University and offers undergraduate aviation studies.

Undergraduate studies in aviation at this department offer aviation programs such as Aviation Management, Maintenance Management, Operations, and Professional Flight. All of these programs can earn you a bachelor’s degree in aviation, but more importantly, they can provide you with knowledge in various aviation areas, depending on your interests: whether you wish to work at an airport or a general aviation company, or maybe become a (professional) pilot. Indeed, San Jose State University is a top aviation school.

See Also: Best Scholarships in USA for International Students

7. Academy College

The Academy College is a private college in Bloomington, Minnesota, that offers bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in programs such as Aviation, Business, Computer Technology, etc. As one of the best aviation schools in the world, Aviation College offers undergraduate aviation studies – more precisely, it offers three bachelor programs: Commercial Aviation, Aircraft Dispatcher, and Aviation Business.

Whichever of these programs you choose, the College of Aviation promises to help its students develop their careers through adequate training. After getting your degree in aviation at this college, you could secure a job in careers such as aircraft dispatcher, airline pilot, corporate pilot, airline manager, aircraft sales, etc. The opportunities are many, and you can choose your perfect course by your preferences.

8. Hallmark University

First known as Hallmark Aero-Tech in 1969, Hallmark University is an institution in San Antonio, Texas, dedicated to producing capable graduates that can competitively serve the industry and community.

The university is an FAA-approved school and is considered one of the top aviation schools in the US and among the top ten in the world. Its College of Aeronautics offers undergraduate programs in aviation technology and maintenance.

The mechanic school at San Antonio International Airport is specifically designed to suit the needs of students who prefer hands-on training in a technical environment and at a fast pace. Due to this, class sizes and courses are down to trim- but manageable levels where aviation students can simulate working in a hangar.

This leading aviation school in the world also offers accelerated degrees such as Airframe Technology, Powerplant Technology, and Airframe & Powerplant Technology, where aspiring avionic technicians can become certified professionals in less than two years after studying. There, students can learn technical skills like welding, assembly, rigging, production, and electrical management of an aircraft during their training. The University also offers an accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management.

Read More: Cheap Universities in Texas

9. University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Founded on July 1949, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a research-intensive university based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is a member of Universitas 21, a global network of research institutions, and a member of Group of Eight, Universitas 21’s domestic variant.

The UNSW School of Aviation is a globally competitive college with over 25 years of experience and industry collaboration. The school offers aspiring pilots and technicians a chance to compete globally, and its programs are specifically designed to prepare students for both technical and management roles in aviation.

UNSW achieves this by having professors with years of aviation experience backed up by regulatory authorities, industry bodies, and research collaborators. In addition, UNSW facilitates employment opportunities by connecting graduates to top-of-the-line industry employers with access and mentorship opportunities available to its aviation students.

The university also offers bachelor’s degrees in Aviation (Flying), Aviation (Management), and Aviation Management, and Graduate Diplomas in Flying, Advanced Flying, and Aviation Management. They also offer a master’s degree in Aviation Management and a postgraduate research degree in Philosophy and Research.

Learn More: University of New South Wales Scholarships

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology, most commonly known as Georgia Tech, is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. The university is famous worldwide for its excellent engineering and computer science programs, and its colleges are equally renowned for delivering quality education.

The university’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering is considered one of the best aviation schools in the US and the world due to its leading institution in aerospace engineering. Undergraduates can expect on-hands training in both classroom and laboratory education from a faculty of more than 40 veteran professors.

The university’s facilities on the AE campus are easily accessible by walking, most of which can be found on Ferst Drive and Cherry Street. There are also additional on-campus facilities such as Research Park on North Avenue, the Observatory on the Howey Physics Building, and the racetrack facility on Marietta Street.

Prospective students can apply for an MS in Aerospace Engineering face-to-face or online. The university also offers a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.

11. Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Established in 1842, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is the oldest and largest public technical university in the Netherlands. It is also regarded as one of the top 10 engineering and technology universities worldwide, particularly in architecture and civil engineering.

TU Delft has state-of-the-art facilities on-campus to provide hands-on training to students. Facilities such as the Cessna Citation II plane converted into a flying laboratory and classroom, ten in-house wind tunnels, dedicated hangars, a Structure & Materials Laboratory, and a Micro Air Vehicle Laboratory (MAVLab).

TU Delft offers a three-year Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, where students are taught about designing and improving satellites, aircraft, drones, and wind turbines. Students can enroll in the subject of Aerospace Engineering as their minor program, and they can also apply online through TU Delft’s Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) on the edX platform.

The university also offers a two-year MSc in Aerospace Engineering, where students have the option to specialize in the field and an internship opportunity to work for a company for 10-12 weeks.

See Also: Best Aviation Schools in Europe

12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Established in 1861, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology– or MIT in short, is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The university is globally renowned for pioneering various developments in modern technology and science and is ranked as one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.

Its specialty lay in its engineering and applied sciences, producing around 98 Nobel Prize laureates, 26 Turing Award Winners, and 8 Field Medalists; one such individual is the astronaut Buzz Aldrin. However, the university’s art degree programs are equally strong, particularly in economics, political science, urban studies, linguistics, and philosophy.

MIT is also affiliated with and awarded accolades by various organizations such as the American Societ of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

MIT’s AeroAstro offers an undergraduate degree in Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. The university also provides a one to two-year Master of Science (SM) graduate program in thirteen fields of study based on their desired expertise and Ph, D, and Sc.D degrees to excellent students.

Attending a top aviation school is a great way to launch a career in the aviation industry. With many excellent schools to choose from, students can find programs that cater to their interests and career goals. To explore more options, check out our article on the best countries to study aviation, which features some of the top destinations for aviation students around the world.

 

We hope this article on the best aviation schools in the world was helpful. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students and learn more about studying abroad.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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