Looking for a university with a pilot program

If you want bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with any of the aviation programs at a public university in the midwest. I don't know anything about UND rates, but I assume they are towards the high end. Parks college at SLU (private school) has a reputation for being expensive. Check out University of Nebraska - Omaha, Oklahoma State U., Oklahoma U., Southeastern Oklahoma (apparently they've had a name change). K-State, though I would agree with all that was previously said about them. I went to UCM, and we were always friendly competitors with them. As far as I know we were very competitive, if not cheaper than they were. Also, at UCM you stay on the main campus, at a school with at good M/F ratio, and you don't have to wear a gay pilot uniform to class...
 
Maybe I'm just confused, but if you already have a degree, why exactly do you want to go back to school to get another one while at the same time learning to fly. A general studies degree is just as useful (as far as getting a job) as anything else, including an aviation specific degree. If you really feel that you missed out on the whole college scene and want that experience, pick college town in a fun place, find a local airport that has a good flight school (not associated with the college), move, get a job doing something not flying related, make some cash, get the rest of your ratings (while minimizing debt) and party with all the college kids. If I had to choose a place I'd probably head down to Miami or San Diego. Lots of places to learn how to fly, big (scholastic) schools, and nice weather pretty much year round.
 
BobDDuck Good Post. There is no reason to go back to school unless you have a passion for some subject other than aviation. Take bobdducks advice and move to a college town and work at the airport, drink beer, be friendly, and tell girls you are a pilot.

I would highly recommend not taking out any loans at all. I totally understand it will be less exciting and take a little longer but the long term benefits will change your life.
 
FlyingPoke said:
I looked at KSU also, as I graduated high school in Wichita. Same as you, I wasn't interested in the massive sausage fest that is any aviation-exclusive campus.

I wound up at Oklahoma State University. Still a small town, but it's located on the main campus, is very cheap, and you get all the scenery one could ask for. They are now a major player in today's football scene so you will get the full college experience, OKC is close enough if you care, and did I mention the scenery?

Wouldn't trade my time there for anything. Good luck in your search.
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I second this. I too went to OSU, and wouldn't trade my time there for anything. I'm from Houston, and Even though Stillwater is comparatively small, I had no issues adjusting.
 
samstanton said:
BobDDuck Good Post. There is no reason to go back to school unless you have a passion for some subject other than aviation. Take bobdducks advice and move to a college town and work at the airport, drink beer, be friendly, and tell girls you are a pilot.

I would highly recommend not taking out any loans at all. I totally understand it will be less exciting and take a little longer but the long term benefits will change your life.
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That's the general consensus I've received, and probably the most intelligent option. I was considering not getting another degree, but just taking the classes necessary to finish the ratings. However, I suppose the debt idea is about as bad as any I've had thus far and the FBO option fits my lifestyle a whole heck of a lot more.

On a side note, for people with experience, how important is the MEI? I'm considering looking at schools that have a multi-engine so I can get the MEI out of the way, but would it be a more wise for me to get my CFI and CFII, then proceed to get the MEI and time-build? It seems like a LOT of the FBO's I've been seeing don't have a multi-engine to train in.
 
Marlon said:
On a side note, for people with experience, how important is the MEI? I'm considering looking at schools that have a multi-engine so I can get the MEI out of the way, but would it be a more wise for me to get my CFI and CFII, then proceed to get the MEI and time-build? It seems like a LOT of the FBO's I've been seeing don't have a multi-engine to train in.
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It generaly goes 1. CFI, 2 CFII, 3 MEI

However! go get what's going to be the most beneficial to you. Each one has its great benefits.

Alot of places that you're going to apply to are going to ask for CFII, CFI and MEI.
 
Cal State University Los Angeles has an Aviation Admin B.S. degree program. You need to transfer into it as a sophomore, but you probably have a lot of the lower division taken care of. You'll get credit for the ratings you have and there are lot of flight schools near by to teach at. Only downside.... You have to live in LA....
 
Marlon,
You can have a degree in basket weaving, it really doesn't matter unless you want to do some kind of aviation management job. As long as you have the piece of paper all ready I wouldn't be specifically looking to learn to fly through a college program. You're going to spend a whole lot of money for the same return as going out to a flight school or a club with good instructors and getting your ratings that way. You will spend a ton less money than a college and have better opportunities with less restrictions on your training. I fly with guys who spend a $100,000 dollars at Riddle for the same ratings I spent 25K on over a few year period and paid as I went. Also, if you're worried about building time you don't need to necessarily have a MEI, you can find other non CFI jobs to build time along with some CFI work as well.
 
I would say Middle Georgia College. You can do the certificate programs for your certs and get another degree in something unrelated to aviation. Check them out for sure.
 
HerrGruyere said:
I'm taking my pilot certifications through a program offered by a local community college. They offer financial aid and scholarships. The college has agreements with several flight schools in the area, so you take your ground school at the college and then do your flying where it's convenient for you. I'm also doing this under Part 61 instruction. Plus, the college is mega cheap so I'm not paying as much as I would if I were at UND or something. For what it's worth, I'm really only taking the courses for certifications since I already have a degree. Granted, I am taking (or intend to take) some classes on the side that I find interesting, e.g. aviation safety, meteorology, etc.
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In this situation, are you using loans to pay for the pilot certs? Or are you paying for the flight training portion cash and using financial aid for just the academic courses?
 
Marlon,

I am a career changer. I got my first Bachelor's degree in Music Education and decided to go back to get an aviation degree for the reason you stated - to finance the flying. It helped a great deal, and after the second graduation (which only took 2 years), I found myself only $20,000 in debt as opposed to $200,000+ in debt. I'm an alum from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. They have really grown their flight program since my days there. I think there is a link to it on page one of this thread with all the other aviation schools.

As for the MEI..... I got my MEI thinking my multi time would build as quickly as my single-engine time did after getting my CFI. I was wrong. My university's requirements to teach in the twin were 50 hours of ME time..... until I got 50 hours. When I did, the insurance requirements went up to 100 hours. So, I bailed, freelance instructed at a part 61 airport. ME time still didn't build. I went to fly freight for 2 years to build up that time so the airlines would look at me.

The BEST experience in the FREAKING WORLD, by the way. I'm not saying don't get the MEI, because that can only help you. It opens all kinds of doors and looks good on a resume. I'm just saying that I never had the opportunity to use mine.

Anyway. That's my story. Give Henderson State a looksee. They have a really good program. You do have to go to southwest Arkansas, however.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!
 
I'm another career changer with a bachelors degree (Political Science). After a short stint in the Navy, I have decided it is not for me. I will be leaving to pursue aviation and have decided on a degree program in order to avoid debt.
 
Hammertime said:
If you want bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with any of the aviation programs at a public university in the midwest. I don't know anything about UND rates, but I assume they are towards the high end. Parks college at SLU (private school) has a reputation for being expensive. Check out University of Nebraska - Omaha, Oklahoma State U., Oklahoma U., Southeastern Oklahoma (apparently they've had a name change). K-State, though I would agree with all that was previously said about them. I went to UCM, and we were always friendly competitors with them. As far as I know we were very competitive, if not cheaper than they were. Also, at UCM you stay on the main campus, at a school with at good M/F ratio, and you don't have to wear a gay pilot uniform to class...
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Wait, gay pilots have to wear a uniform?

I went to San Jose State University... no pilot program, but we do have a pretty awesome flying club.
 
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