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Michigan hosts 8 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 8 Michigan flight schools, 5 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 Michigan
Andrews University, Department of Aviation
Berrien Springs, MI
Best for: Students wanting a faith-based aviation program in southwest Michigan with multiple degree levels and strong mission-aviation ties
Based in Berrien Springs, MI, Andrews University, Department of Aviation is a four-year aviation university, certified under FAA Part 141. Worth knowing: Long-running faith-based aviation program.
- Tuition & fees
- Private Adventist university rates. Flight fees additional. Specific 2025-26 rates published by Andrews, verify with school.
- Program length
- 4-year B.S.
- Fleet
- Specific composition not consistently published, verify with school.
- Airline partnerships
- Mission aviation organizations; standard regional pipelines.
- Online options
- Some online options.
Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology)
Ypsilanti, MI
Best for: Students wanting AABI accreditation and the largest collegiate flight school in SE Michigan / Northern Ohio, with five training airport options
Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology) is a four-year aviation university, certified under FAA Part 141 and accredited by AABI. Notable as the largest collegiate flight school in SE Michigan/Northern Ohio.
- Tuition & fees
- Base tuition ~$15,510/yr (international rate; in-state lower). FLYING reports ~$29,000/yr both resident and non-resident. Flight fees: $70,000–$80,000 over 4 years for Multi/CFI. Flight fees calculated as Part 141 minimum + 10% for additional needs;…
- Program length
- 4-year B.S.
- Fleet
- Diamond DA20s, Diamond DA40s, Cessna 172 SP Skyhawks (Garmin G-1000 glass cockpits), Crosswinds-operated training fleet across 5 locations.
- Airline partnerships
- Crosswinds Aviation hires graduating students as flight instructors. State of Michigan 'No Worker Left Behind' and federal TAA program approved. NROTC / AFROTC compatible.
- Online options
- Limited, primary delivery in-person.
Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance
Dearborn, MI
Best for: Students wanting affordable Michigan community-college AMT training in metro Detroit
Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance is a two-year aviation college based in Dearborn, MI. Worth knowing: Metro Detroit AMT program.
- Tuition & fees
- Michigan community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Maintenance equipment.
- Airline partnerships
- Delta DTW maintenance pipeline.
- Job placement
- Strong AMT placement via Delta DTW.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Lansing Community College, Aviation Technology
Lansing, MI
Best for: Students wanting affordable Michigan community-college aviation training in the state capital
Lansing Community College, Aviation Technology is a two-year aviation college based in Lansing, MI, certified under FAA Part 141. Worth knowing: Michigan community-college aviation hub.
- Tuition & fees
- Michigan 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; potential transfer to Eastern Michigan B.S. program.
- Online options
- Some online options.
Macomb Community College, Aviation
Warren, MI
Best for: Students wanting affordable Michigan community-college aviation training
Based in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College, Aviation is a two-year aviation college. Worth knowing: Metro Detroit aviation program.
- Tuition & fees
- Michigan community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Via partners.
- Airline partnerships
- Detroit metro pipelines.
- Online options
- Some online options.
Northwestern Michigan College, Aviation Division
Traverse City, MI
Best for: Students wanting affordable Michigan community-college aviation training with NMC's renowned reputation in technical education
Based in Traverse City, MI, Northwestern Michigan College, Aviation Division is a two-year aviation college, certified under FAA Part 141. Worth knowing: Long-running NMC aviation program with regional reputation.
- Tuition & fees
- Michigan community-college rates (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
- Some online options.
Schoolcraft College, Aviation
Livonia, MI
Best for: Students wanting affordable metro Detroit community-college aviation training
Schoolcraft College, Aviation is a two-year aviation college based in Livonia, MI. Worth knowing: Metro Detroit aviation program.
- Tuition & fees
- Michigan community college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Via partners.
- Airline partnerships
- Detroit metro pipelines.
- Online options
- Some online options.
Western Michigan University, College of Aviation
Kalamazoo, MI
Best for: Students who want to train year-round in variable Midwest weather on the world's largest collegiate Cirrus fleet, with Delta Propel + United Aviate access
Based in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University, College of Aviation is a four-year aviation university, certified under FAA Part 141 and accredited by AABI. FLYING Magazine has ranked WMU among top six flight schools in the world.
- Tuition & fees
- WMU restructured tuition to lower the non-resident rate significantly (specific figures vary by year, direct to wmich.edu/aviation/forms-fees for current 2025-26 rates). Flight lab fees published annually.
- Program length
- Standard 4-year B.S.
- Fleet
- 40+ aircraft. As of 2024-25 fleet refresh: 32 new Cirrus TRAC20 G7s (Garmin Perspective Touch+) replacing 28 older SR20 G2s; Piper PA-44 Seminoles (multi-engine); American Champion Super Decathlons; Cessna 150s (Sky Bronco precision flight team). 4 Frasca…
- Airline partnerships
- Delta Propel; United Aviate; AAR Eagle Pathway Program. Internships with Delta, Southwest, American, CapeAir, UPS, Duncan Aviation, Stryker.
- Job placement
- 100% career placement rate for aviation flight science and technical operations graduates (per WMU/FLYING).
- Online options
- Limited, primary delivery in-person; some aviation management coursework online.
How Much Is Aviation School in Michigan?
Not every school in Michigan 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 $62,040. Below are the schools with figures we could verify.
| School | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology) | ~$15,510/yr |
How Long Is Pilot School in Michigan?
Pilot school in Michigan can take as long as 4 years at a degree program like Andrews University, Department of Aviation, or as little as 2 years at an accelerated academy like Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance. Not every school publishes a specific timeline. The schools below are the ones that do.
| School | Program length |
|---|---|
| Andrews University, Department of Aviation | 4 years |
| Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology) | 4 years |
| Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance | 2 years |
| Lansing Community College, Aviation Technology | 2 years |
| Macomb Community College, Aviation | 2 years |
| Northwestern Michigan College, Aviation Division | 2 years |
| Schoolcraft College, Aviation | 2 years |
| Western Michigan University, College of Aviation | 4 years |
How to Choose a Flight School in Michigan
Choosing a flight school in Michigan 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 Western Michigan University, College of Aviation and Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology)) 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 Michigan schools profiled here (including Western Michigan University, College of Aviation and Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology)) 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 Western Michigan University, College of Aviation and Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance). These programs typically include a conditional job offer or interview guarantee once you hit hours and ratings benchmarks.
- Confirm financial aid eligibility. 8 of the 8 Michigan 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 Michigan
Why choose a flight school in Michigan?
Choosing a flight school in Michigan keeps you close to 8 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 Michigan offer job placement?
Yes, several flight schools in Michigan publish job-placement data, including Western Michigan University, College of Aviation and Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance. 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 Michigan, most schools below operate under Part 141. Henry Ford College, Aviation Maintenance, Macomb Community College, Aviation, and Schoolcraft College, Aviation are listed as Part 61 only or unverified, so confirm certification with the school before enrolling.
Is financial aid available for Michigan aviation programs?
Yes, financial aid is available for Michigan aviation programs. 8 of the 8 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 Western Michigan University, College of Aviation, Eastern Michigan University, Aviation (GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology), and Andrews University, Department of Aviation. Aid eligibility varies by program type. Community college and university degrees usually qualify, while standalone Part 141 academies are case-by-case.
Do any Michigan flight schools offer online or distance learning?
Yes, some Michigan flight schools offer online ground school and academic coursework, though flight training itself is always in-person. Schools that publish online options include Andrews University, Department of Aviation, Lansing Community College, Aviation Technology, and Northwestern Michigan College, Aviation Division. If you’re balancing work or family commitments, asking about online ground school and weekend flight blocks is a useful filter.
