Illinois hosts 7 of the flight schools featured in our nationwide flight schools guide.
The list below covers everything from four-year aviation universities and independent flight schools to federally approved academies.
Among our list of the top 7 Illinois flight schools, 4 hold Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 141 certifications. This means their curriculum is FAA-approved and they require fewer flight hours for the commercial certificate.
All Flight Schools in Illinois
Kankakee Community College, Aviation Programs
Kankakee, IL
Best for: Students wanting affordable Illinois community-college aviation training in metro Chicago's southwest reach
Kankakee Community College, Aviation Programs is a two-year aviation college based in Kankakee, IL, certified under FAA Part 141. Worth knowing: Affordable pathway in metro Chicago.
- Tuition & fees
- Illinois community-college rates (very affordable in-district). Flight fees additional.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Specific composition not consistently published, verify.
- Airline partnerships
- Standard regional pipelines.
- Online options
- Limited.
Lewis & Clark Community College, Aviation
Godfrey, IL
Best for: Students wanting affordable IL community-college aviation training near St. Louis metro
Lewis & Clark Community College, Aviation is a two-year aviation college based in Godfrey, IL, certified under FAA Part 141. Worth knowing: Metro St. Louis aviation training.
- Tuition & fees
- Illinois community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AS/AAS.
- Fleet
- Verify with school.
- Airline partnerships
- St. Louis metro pipelines (Boeing Defense, etc.).
- Online options
- Some online options.
Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation
Romeoville, IL
Best for: Students wanting an AABI program in metro Chicago with on-campus flight ops at Lewis University Airport (KLOT)
Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation is a four-year aviation university based in Romeoville, IL, certified under FAA Part 141 and accredited by AABI. Recognized by Best Value Schools #4 nationally for aviation flight program.
- Tuition & fees
- In addition to Lewis tuition, budget ~$10,000–$12,000/semester for aircraft rental + flight/ground instruction. Summer intensives available.
- Program length
- 4-year B.S.; both Part 61 and Part 141 paths shorten time to certification. Students who hold PPL on entry may bypass Private Pilot ground schools and earn 8 academic credits.
- Fleet
- 17 Cessna 172s (PPL/IR + cross-country/CFI training); 2 Piper Seminoles (multi-engine); plus simulators. On-airport facility at KLOT.
- Airline partnerships
- United Aviate university partner. Chicago metro proximity provides exposure to one of the most robust aviation industries in the nation.
- Online options
- Limited, primary delivery in-person.
Prairie State College, Aviation Maintenance
Chicago Heights, IL
Best for: Students wanting affordable IL community-college AMT training in south Chicago metro
Based in Chicago Heights, IL, Prairie State College, Aviation Maintenance is a two-year aviation college. Worth knowing: Chicago metro AMT program.
- Tuition & fees
- Illinois community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Maintenance equipment.
- Airline partnerships
- Chicago O'Hare/Midway airline maintenance pipelines.
- Job placement
- Strong AMT placement via Chicago hubs.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Rock Valley College, Aviation Maintenance Technology
Rockford, IL
Best for: Students wanting affordable Illinois community-college AMT training with Chicago metro proximity
Based in Rockford, IL, Rock Valley College, Aviation Maintenance Technology is a two-year aviation college. Strong AMT placement record (RFD is a major UPS hub).
- Tuition & fees
- Illinois community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Maintenance equipment.
- Airline partnerships
- UPS at Rockford; AAR Aircraft Services.
- Job placement
- Strong AMT placement via UPS RFD hub.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation
Carbondale, IL
Best for: Students wanting an AABI program with United Aviate access, on-campus airport, and one of the largest collegiate aviation programs in Illinois
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation is a four-year aviation university based in Carbondale, IL, certified under FAA Part 141 and accredited by AABI. Worth knowing: United Aviate university partner.
- Tuition & fees
- Public Illinois rates apply (in-state ~$12,000–$14,000/yr; out-of-state higher, verify current). Flight fees additional.
- Program length
- 4-year B.S.
- Fleet
- Specific composition not consistently published, verify with school for 2025-26 figures.
- Airline partnerships
- United Aviate; standard regional pipelines; close ties to St. Louis aviation industry.
- Online options
- Limited, primary delivery in-person.
Triton College, Aviation
River Grove, IL
Best for: Students wanting affordable Chicago-area community-college aviation training with O'Hare proximity
Triton College, Aviation is a two-year aviation college based in River Grove, IL. Worth knowing: Chicago O'Hare-area AMT program.
- Tuition & fees
- Illinois community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Maintenance equipment.
- Airline partnerships
- United Airlines maintenance pipeline at O'Hare.
- Job placement
- Strong AMT placement via United O'Hare.
- Online options
- Some online components.
How Much Is Aviation School in Illinois?
Not every school in Illinois publishes their tuition publicly, and reported figures vary widely depending on whether the school lists annual tuition, total program cost, or full cost of attendance. Four-year university programs run around $56,000. Below are the schools with figures we could verify.
| School | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation | ~$14,000/yr |
How Long Is Pilot School in Illinois?
Pilot school in Illinois can take as long as 4 years at a degree program like Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation, or as little as 2 years at an accelerated academy like Kankakee Community College, Aviation Programs. Not every school publishes a specific timeline. The schools below are the ones that do.
| School | Program length |
|---|---|
| Kankakee Community College, Aviation Programs | 2 years |
| Lewis & Clark Community College, Aviation | 2 years |
| Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation | 4 years |
| Prairie State College, Aviation Maintenance | 2 years |
| Rock Valley College, Aviation Maintenance Technology | 2 years |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation | 4 years |
| Triton College, Aviation | 2 years |
How to Choose a Flight School in Illinois
Choosing a flight school in Illinois comes down to matching the program to your goal (airline pilot, corporate, helicopter, instructor) and your timeline. Use the considerations below to narrow the list.
- Decide between a degree and an accelerated certificate. Four-year aviation universities (like Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation) pair flight training with a bachelor’s degree but take longer and cost more. Accelerated academies skip the degree and focus on getting you to the airlines faster.
- Confirm FAA Part 141 vs. Part 61. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-approved structured syllabus, which lets you finish the commercial certificate in fewer hours. Part 61 schools are more flexible but require more total flight time. Most Illinois schools profiled here (including Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation) hold Part 141 certification.
- Check for airline pathway access. If you’re aiming straight at a commercial airline job, look for schools with formal partnerships (such as Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation). These programs typically include a conditional job offer or interview guarantee once you hit hours and ratings benchmarks.
- Confirm financial aid eligibility. 7 of the 7 Illinois schools below participate in federal financial aid programs, which matters because flight training is one of the most expensive vocational paths in the country. VA benefits, scholarships, and tuition rebates can offset substantial portions of cost.
- Visit the campus or do a discovery flight. Tuition, fleet size, and partnerships are easy to compare on paper, but program culture, instructor quality, and weather-driven flight cancellations are not. A campus visit and a short intro flight are the fastest way to read a school before you commit to a multi-year investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flight Schools in Illinois
Why choose a flight school in Illinois?
Choosing a flight school in Illinois keeps you close to 7 programs featured in our guide. Local schools matter because flight training is hour-intensive. Staying in-state keeps housing costs down and makes campus visits feasible while you choose.
Do any aviation schools in Illinois offer job placement?
Yes, several flight schools in Illinois publish job-placement data, including Rock Valley College, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Prairie State College, Aviation Maintenance, and Triton College, Aviation. Not every school in the list below publishes placement rates. Ask each program directly when you compare.
What if a school doesn't offer FAA Part 141?
If a school doesn’t offer FAA Part 141, it most likely operates under Part 61. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-audited syllabus and let students earn the commercial certificate in fewer total flight hours (typically 190 hours versus 250 hours under Part 61). Part 61 schools are more flexible and often cheaper hour-for-hour, but they require more total time to reach the same ratings. In Illinois, most schools below operate under Part 141. Rock Valley College, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Prairie State College, Aviation Maintenance, and Triton College, Aviation are listed as Part 61 only or unverified, so confirm certification with the school before enrolling.
Is financial aid available for Illinois aviation programs?
Yes, financial aid is available for Illinois aviation programs. 7 of the 7 schools profiled here participate in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), and many also offer institutional scholarships, VA / GI Bill benefits, or partner financing through Sallie Mae or similar lenders. Examples include Lewis University, Department of Aviation and Transportation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Aviation, and Kankakee Community College, Aviation Programs. Aid eligibility varies by program type. Community college and university degrees usually qualify, while standalone Part 141 academies are case-by-case.
Do any Illinois flight schools offer online or distance learning?
Yes, some Illinois flight schools offer online ground school and academic coursework, though flight training itself is always in-person. Schools that publish online options include Rock Valley College, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Lewis & Clark Community College, Aviation, and Prairie State College, Aviation Maintenance. If you’re balancing work or family commitments, asking about online ground school and weekend flight blocks is a useful filter.
