Flight School Options in Michigan

With a vast expanse of lakes, forests, and diverse landscapes, Michigan offers an intriguing setting for flight training. Whether you're aspiring to become a commercial pilot, private pilot, or simply want to become a weekend flyer, Michigan has plenty of flight schools to suit your needs.

While there are many good programs in the Great Lake State to choose from, we highlight these 10 schools for their variety of offerings to meet the different objectives of aspiring pilots.

Now that you know how to become a pilot in Michigan, you’ll need to decide which schools offer all that you specifically need. Have you thought about the course offerings, average class sizes, or graduation rates? 

Can the school help you find a job after graduation? How much is the tuition and what options does the school have in terms of financial assistance?

To help you find answers to these questions and more, we’ve listed the 10 best flight schools in Michigan.  

Western Michigan University College of Aviation boasts over 1,100 undergraduate students, making it one of the largest aviation programs in the nation. 

Location: 237 Helmer Rd. North, Battle Creek

Graduation rate: 67 percent 

Tuition and fees: Ranges from $630.25 to $864.38 per credit hour, in addition to additional flight school fees as well. 

Financial assistance: WMU participates in federal-, private-, and university-funded loan programs. The College of Aviation offers internal scholarships, and WMU also has scholarships available to the entire student body. 

Accreditations: Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). Additionally, the FAA certifies WMU facilities for pilot training via MDOT licenses.

Program length:

Endorsements: WMU provides flight training for the FAA Commercial Pilot’s License with instrument rating and multiengine endorsements.

Class size: On average, class sizes at the College of Aviation range from 25 to 30 students.

Job placement: The College of Aviation helps identify job opportunities and internships that are available for students. Partner companies and school alumni look out for applicants who are in search of jobs and internships.

Virtual learning: Technology-related resources are available for aviation students who need assistance with distance education, computer programs, IT problems, and more. 

Andrews University is a private, nonprofit university in Berrien Springs. It was originally called Battle Creek College, and it is the top university within the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s school system.

Location: 4150 Administration Drive, Room 136, Berrien Springs 

Graduation rate: 47.2 percent 

Tuition and fees: Core aviation courses currently total $65,110. Beyond this, tuition comes to $1,155 per credit hour in most cases, in addition to miscellaneous fees, room and board, and any add-on aviation courses beyond the core curriculum.

Financial assistance: 

Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA)

Program length: 

Endorsements: Complex endorsements are available from authorized instructors.

Class size: On average, fewer than 20 students.

Job placement: Career center  helps students prepare for employment and has programs to assist in finding jobs after graduation. 

Virtual learning: Online classes are available. 

Eastern Michigan University started as a teachers’ school over 100 years ago. Since then, the school has grown into a large education and public research university. EMU’s GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology offers technical programs and professional services management for undergrads. 

Location: 207 Sill Hall, Ypsilanti 

Graduation rate: 39.7 percent  

Tuition and fees: About $7,960 per year. The flight school costs around $70,000 in addition to the base rate of tuition. 

Financial assistance: Applications offered for financial aid, grants, and scholarships, as well as loans for undergrad students and some for graduate students. 

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Program length: 

Endorsements: Complex endorsements are available from certified instructors. 

Class size: Average is 14 students.

Job placement: Students are provided with job search assistance for careers with small and large airlines. Help is available for students looking to join a military aviation program as well. Several graduates land teaching roles at EMU within the first year or two after graduation, allowing them to log more air time before applying for industry jobs.

Virtual learning: Virtual courses offered, with the exception of aviation classes. 

Northwestern Michigan College is a community college in northwestern Michigan. Associate degrees are awarded upon completion of the flight crew and pilot training programs. 

Location: 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City

Graduation rate: 35.9 percent 

Tuition and fees: Ranges from $126 per credit hour for in-district residents, to $394 per credit hour for international students. Aircraft rental and hourly instructor fees are charged separately. 

Financial assistance: Grants, scholarships, and loans are available. 

Accreditation: FAA; Federal Aviation Regulation

Program length:  

Endorsements: An official endorsement can be earned voluntarily by meeting certain criteria.

Class size: Average is 22 students. 

Job placement: Students have a nearly 100 percent postgraduation placement rate. 

Virtual learning: Online courses offered. 

The Michigan Institute of Aviation Technology in the township of Canton. The school offers degrees in several industrial trades, including aviation maintenance. 

Location: 2955 S. Haggerty Rd., Canton

Graduation rate: 65.3 percent 

Tuition and fees: Complete program cost for an Aviation Maintenance Technology diploma is $45,570. 

Financial assistance: Grant aid averages about $1,750 per student per year. Loans are also available. 

Accreditations: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges; FAA.

Program length: 

Endorsements: None 

Class size: Average of 10 students 

Job placement: Employment assistance offered to all graduates. 

Virtual learning: Most, but not all, courses require hands-on participation, but some courses can be completed online.

Northern Michigan University is a public college and aircraft maintenance school located in Marquette. Flight degrees are available. You can also earn an associate degree or a certificate in Aircraft Powerplant Technology. 

Location: 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette

Graduation rate: 36 percent 

Tuition and fees: $543.50 per credit hour, in addition to flight fees.

Financial assistance: On average, students can receive grant aid that totals $12,000 per student. Students may also qualify for scholarships or federal loans to assist with tuition and expenses. 

Accreditation: FAA 

Program length: 

Endorsements: No endorsements offered in aviation. 

Class size: Average class of 20 students

Job placement: Resources and services offered to assist in career placement. 

Virtual learning: Virtual learning options provided for many courses.

Siena Heights University is a small, nonprofit, private Roman Catholic university founded in 1919. Located in Adrian, the college offers degree programs in multiple disciplines, including two bachelor’s degrees in flight programs.  

Location: 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian

Graduation rate: 67 percent 

Tuition and fees: Estimated to equal $28,500 per year, in addition to flight fees. 

Financial assistance: Estimated total grant aid is $13,352 per student. Students may also qualify for scholarships or federal loans to assist with tuition and expenses.

Accreditation:  Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 

Program length: 

Endorsements: No endorsements offered in aviation. 

Class size:Average of 12 students 

Job placement: Career Services offers resources and services to assist in career placement, including connecting students with 300-plus employers. 

Virtual learning: Virtual courses offered. However, all aviation courses are in-person classes. 

It offers certificate programs and associate degrees in aviation technology in addition to many other fields. South of its downtown location, LCC has new aviation facilities located in Mason.

Location: 409 N. Washington Square, Lansing

Graduation rate: 18 percent 

Tuition and fees: Ranges from $240-$420 per credit hour, depending on residency status.  

Financial assistance: Grants, scholarships, and student loans are available for undergraduates. 

Accreditation: FAA 

Program length: 

Endorsements: No endorsements offered in aviation. 

Class size: Average of 17 students

Job placement: Job Referral Program helps students find postgraduation jobs. 

Virtual learning: Virtual courses offered, though not for aviation. 

Founded in 1970, the School of Missionary Aviation Technology trains individuals to serve mission organizations as either pilots or aircraft maintenance technicians. Due to the unique nature of global missionary service, these aviation specialists require a special level of knowledge, skills, and attributes, all of which are specific to reaching remote locations all around the world.

Location: 84 E. Sprague Rd., Ionia

Graduation rate: 96 percent 

Tuition and fees: Estimated $13,879 per year 

Financial assistance: On average, students can receive $3,109 in aid. Students can also apply for scholarships or federal loans to assist with the costs of tuition and school-related expenses.

Accreditation: FAA 

Program length: 

Endorsements: Single-engine HP endorsement and tailwheel endorsements are available through the School of Missionary Aviation Technology. 

Class size: The student body encompasses 27 students in total, and the average class size is seven. 

Job placement: Provides job placement services for graduates

Virtual learning: No online courses offered.

Schoolcraft College is a publicly-funded community college that was founded in 1961. Located in Livonia,  the school offers programs that result in Aviation Management associate degrees and certificates. 

Location: 18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia

Graduation rate: 17 percent 

Tuition and fees: Ranges from $139 to $270 per credit hour, depending on residence status. 

Financial assistance: Total grant aid is estimated to be $2,250 per student. Students can also qualify for scholarships or federal loans to further assist with tuition and expenses.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 

Program length: 

Endorsements: Students may earn a Global Endorsement of 15 hours if specific courses are completed. 

Class size: Average of 19

Job placement: Career services office conducts seminars covering topics such as résumé writing, interview skills, career fairs, and employer relations.

Virtual learning: Courses are available online. 

A driver’s license allows a person to lawfully operate a motor vehicle. Similarly, a pilot’s license allows someone to legally fly an aircraft. 

Michigan does not license aircraft pilots on a state level, so you will need to get a certification from the FAA. Anyone who wants to operate an aircraft has to obtain a license in order to become a pilot in Michigan.

Numerous career opportunities exist within the aviation industry. The number of opportunities out there will depend on the type of aviation license that you want to earn. 

In order to become a pilot in Michigan, you first must take classes and work towards earning a basic Private Pilot License (PPL) from a licensed flight instructor. Prior to officially beginning flight instruction, a Student Pilot Certificate is also required. 

Or try an online ground school like Pilot Institute. From Private Pilot to Part 107 drone license course, it has helped thousands of students reach their aviation goals. Pilot Institute is so confident you’ll pass the first time around, it will give you a check for $175 and refund your course tuition if you don’t.

How do you know which is the best flight school in Michigan? It can be difficult, but let us help.

We’ll start by taking a look at the number of flight schools in Michigan, the average number of students per class, and how much they cost in Michigan.

We’ll also tell you all about where you can locate applications for available scholarships, grants, and loans. We will compare graduation rates and job placement assistance, as well as the best aviation employers and salary expectations for graduates of the best flight schools in Michigan. 

There are currently dozens of licensed flight schools in Michigan. The majority of them are located in and around the Greater Detroit and Grand Rapids areas. 

Some are peppered across the Traverse City area, and a few more are located in the central-most part of the state. Many of these flight schools in Michigan are aviation and flight colleges that offer various degree programs and certified flight instruction. 

Most flight schools in Michigan have class sizes anywhere from 25 to 30 students on average. During ground instruction, flight schools in Michigan may average between three and 15 students per class. When receiving flight instruction, however, every student receives individual, one-on-one direction from their flight instructors.

Tuition rates vary significantly depending on whether a school is private or public, as well as on residence status. Bear in mind as well that credit hour tuition does not, in most cases, cover fees associated with flight training, such as hourly instructor fees and aircraft rental. 

Many students find that they only need to take out a loan to cover their tuition expenses. As noted, these costs can range anywhere from $10,000 to $45,000. If students take out a loan, it will be a personal loan investment based on the school.  

Scholarships are available for flight school, as are grants and loans. The average amount of money that scholarships offer for flight schools in Michigan is approximately $2,000 annually. 

Many accelerated flight training schools in Michigan provide job placement opportunities to graduates. Some flight schools in Michigan have agreements with airlines, meaning they can make employment offers to some of their graduates. Be sure to review the job placement agreements, as some schools offer actual job placements while others can only guarantee an interview.

Michigan’s average airline pilot salary is $140,201. This amounts to approximately $11,683 per month or $2,696 per week.

However, the salary range for pilots in Michigan falls between $121,000 and $158,000. This equates to roughly $10,083 to $13,167 per month or $2,237 to $3,038 per week. 

When considering all pilots in Michigan—not just airline pilots—the average annual wage is $63,860. This is the equivalent of $5,322 per month or $1,228 per week. 

Salaries can vary widely because they depend on location, education level, certifications awarded, learned skills, and years of experience.

Flight school programs can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 for private pilot training. To reach the level of licensing and education required to become a career pilot, the overall cost increases to between $65,000 and $105,000 for an FAA-certified program. 

If you can meet the age, health, and communication requirements to become a private pilot, you will log at least 40 hours in the air (most students spend 50 to 70 hours) before you get your Private Pilot License. You will train with a certified flight instructor, pass all exams, and eventually take local solo flights, do your own flight planning, and take night flights before making several solo long-distance flights.