Minnesota State U- Mankato

Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the University of Minnesota State-Mankato partners with North Star Aviation and offers a professional pilot track for students. In addition to the Bachelor’s degree in professional flight, the school also offers three aviation minors and another Bachelor of Science degree.

The school also has partnerships with many airlines, including SkyWest, Delta, and Suncountry.

Program Highlights

The main campus of the University of Wisconsin at Mankato is located 20 minutes from the airfield students will fly out of, Mankato Regional Airport (KMKT). Aviation industry professionals mentor students throughout the program to build connections for jobs. And thanks to its location, students learn to fly year-round in all types of weather.

The university offers an aviation learning community that allows incoming students to be housed with other aviation majors, helping students build connections from day one.

Programs available include:

• Bachelor of Science
  • Professional Flight
  • Aviation Management
• Minors
  • Aeronautics
  • Private Flight
  • Professional Flight

The university is Aviation Accreditation Board International-accredited.

Value

Tuition at the University of Wisconsin at Mankato is pretty average for a university of its size.

All students will pay roughly $21,000 per year for base tuition. Flight costs will be paid in addition to the base tuition and can run between $55,000-$100,000 for the full program. The school does offer an average of $9,000 of financial aid a year to students and provides access to many scholarships, which include:

● EAA Chapter 25/Weber Insurance Scholarship
● Flying Rooster Aviation Scholarship
● George Sugden Flight Time Scholarship
● H. Gordon Anderson Aviation Scholarship

The university does not accept veteran’s benefits for its aviation programs.

Fleet and Facilities

Located at the Mankato Regional Airport, the school works with North Star Aviation to provide flight training. North Star has four different aircraft and an array of simulators available.

The fleet consists of:
● Cessna 152s
● Piper Seminoles
● Piper Archers
● Piper Warriors

Students finishing the flight program can take advantage of the 500-hour ATP reduction.

Campus Life

Students who attend the University of Minnesota-Mankato will have the opportunity to join many activities and organizations. The school offers Greek life, community engagement opportunities to help local communities, and traditional college experiences such as football games and homecoming.

The university prides itself on diversity and inclusion and offers accessibility for disabled students, clubs for LGBTQ students, and a multicultural center.

The Bottom Line

University of Minnesota-Mankato students will have access to traditional college events and clubs while still being able to get AABI-accredited flight training and access to partnerships with major aviation industry players.