Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.
There are many flight schools in the state of New York, but which ones are the best flight schools in New York? Find out what it takes to become a pilot, how much it costs, and which New York flight schools are the best for you. Read on to learn specific details about each of the top flight schools in New York and what assistance is available for aspiring pilots!
Ace your FAA written test, save money during flight training, and become a better pilot with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.
Quicklook: Flight School Options in NY
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Cornell University
- Farmingdale State College
- CUNY York College
- Schenectady County Community College
5 Flight Schools in New York
The best aviation programs in the state of New York offer the most robust training programs available to prepare you for a career in the aviation industry. Below is our pick of flight schools in New York, complete with tuition costs, financial aid information, and program details. Find out which New York flight school is the best fit for you!
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is a private college located in East Elmhurst (Queens), New York, specializing in aeronautics and engineering programs. Founded in 1932, Vaughn College offers bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, and certificates in aviation and engineering disciplines. The school was ranked in 2020 as the number one college in the nation in upward mobility by the New York Times among over 2000 colleges and universities.
Location: 86-01 23rd Ave. Flushing, New York 11369
Tuition & Fees:
- Annual Tuition: $18,480
- Annual Fees: $1,650
- Annual Room/Board: $3,740
Financial Assistance:
- Federal Student Aid
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Federal Loans
- Personal Loans
- Work Study
- Veterans Programs
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Sciences – 4 years
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aircraft Operations (Flight) – 4 years
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance – 4 years
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management – 4 years
- Associate Degree in Aircraft Operations – 2 years
- Associate Degree in Aviation Maintenance – 2 years
Endorsements: None
School Size: Vaughn College has a student population of 1,542 and a 14:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Job Placement: Yes
Virtual Learning: Yes
See all Flight Colleges and University’s at FLYING’s Flight School Guide
Learn to fly with an online ground school that you can trust. Get started for free on acing your private pilots license.
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League, private research college located in Ithaca, New York. Aerospace Studies at Cornell are geared towards preparing future Air Force officers but offer opportunities to become pilots, navigators, or air battle managers. Preparation for numerous opportunities in the Air Force are a huge benefit of their Officer Education Program.
Location: Ithaca, NY 14850
Tuition & Fees:
- Annual Tuition: $60,286
- Annual Fees: $729
- Annual Room/Board: $16,402
Financial Assistance:
- Federal Student Aid
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Federal Loans
- Personal Loans
- Work Study
- Veterans Programs
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Four Year Commissioning Program – 4 years
- Professional Officer Course – 2 years
Endorsements: None
School Size: Cornell University has a student population of 25,593 and a 9:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Job Placement: Yes
Virtual Learning: Yes
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale State College is a public school located in East Farmingdale, New York, and is part of the State University of New York. The Aviation Department can help you become a pilot or prepare you for a career on the ground in the diverse and growing industry of aeronautics and aviation. Ranked as a top flight school in New York, Farmingdale offers two bachelor’s degrees and three aviation minors.
Location: 2350 Broadhollow Road Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021
Tuition & Fees:
- Annual Tuition: $16,980
- Annual Fees: $1262
- Annual Flight Fees: $18,000
- Annual Room/Board: $15,300
Financial Assistance:
- Federal Student Aid
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Federal Loans
- Personal Loans
- Work Study
- Veterans Programs
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration – 4 years
- Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science: Professional Pilot – 4 years
- Minors: Air Force ROTC, Aviation Administration, Aviation Flight – 1-2 years
Endorsements: None
School Size: Farmington State College has a student population of 9,970 and a 19:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Job Placement: Yes
Virtual Learning: Yes
See the full ranking on the FLYING Flight School Guide
CUNY York College
York College is a public school located in Jamaica, Queens, New York, and is part of the City University of New York. York College is ranked #33 in Regional Colleges North based on several academic factors.
The CUNY Aviation Institute offers students an education in technical and business aspects of the industry. Partnerships with The Port Authority of New York, as well as New Jersey and several major airlines provide internships and career opportunities for CUNY graduates.
Location: 94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11451
Tuition & Fees:
- Annual Tuition: $6,930
- Annual Fees: $213
- Annual Room/Board: $6,720
Financial Assistance:
- Federal Student Aid
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Federal Loans
- Personal Loans
- Work Study
- Veterans Programs
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management – 4 years
- Masters in Aviation Management – 5-7 years
- Aviation Policy Minor – 2 years
- FAA Dispatcher Certification – 1 year
Endorsements: None
School Size: CUNY York College has a student population of 7,529 and a 19:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Job Placement: Yes
Virtual Learning: Yes
Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady County Community College is a public two-year community college and is part of the State University of New York system. Founded in 1967, they are consistently ranked as a top flight school in New York, offering several transfer degree and career programs to prepare yourself for a career in the aviation industry.
Location: 78 Washington Ave, Schenectady, NY 12305
Tuition & Fees:
- Annual Tuition: $4,608
- Annual Fees: $2,020
- Annual Flight Fees: $7,300
- Annual Room/Board: $8,690
Financial Assistance:
- Federal Student Aid
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Federal Loans
- Personal Loans
- Work Study
- Veterans Programs
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Science, Pilot Option – 2 years
- Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Science, Non-Pilot Option – 2 years
- Associates of Applied Science Degree in Air Traffic Control – 2 years
Endorsements: None
School Size: Schenectady County Community College has a student population of 5,231 and a 34:1 Student/Teacher ratio.
Job Placement: Yes
Virtual Learning: Yes
How Does Flight School Training in New York Work?
Flight school training in New York works just like it does in the other 49 states, as flying is federally regulated by the FAA. A pilot’s license is a certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, which certifies that one has passed all requirements and testing to obtain his/her pilot’s license.
To begin pilot training, a student license is required. One must be 17 years of age and pass a basic health check to get their student license and begin working with a certified flight instructor to build flight hours and knowledge towards obtaining your professional pilot license.
One must be 18 years of age to earn his/her professional pilot license (PPL). The next step to becoming a paid pilot is to earn your Commercial Pilot License (CPL), which allows you to transport goods, however, an Airline Transport License is required to fly passengers.
This license takes about 5 years to earn but the opportunities are vast and lucrative for Captains and First Officers who have their (ATL). Along your journey towards your desired license, there are many opportunities for less experienced pilots to gain flight hours as you build towards earning a higher income.
New York Flight School Facts & Figures
There are many flight schools in New York to choose from across the state. Below are some averages and total figures that will help you to gain a better overall understanding of what to collectively expect from the flight schools in New York.
Number of Schools
There are 64 flight schools, in addition to 7 aviation colleges in the entire state of New York. There is a large portion of flight schools located in the Farmington and New York City areas with the remainder peppered throughout the northern part of the state.
Number of Students per Class
Flight schools in New York have an average range of 15-25 students per class for ground courses, however, flight instruction is administered one-on-one.
Tuition Rates
The average tuition rate for flight schools in New York is between $15,000 and $19,000 to fully complete your flight training and obtain your pilot’s license. The tuition ranges in costs due to the numerous variables factored when earning your professional pilot license.
Average Loan Amount
Students in New York graduate with an average loan amount of $6,611 per year. This can be lowered by applying for all available grants and scholarships.
Scholarship
Most students will receive anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 in scholarships annually. This amount varies depending on how much work the student puts into the application process. There are many scholarships that go unclaimed every year due to a lack of research by the student.
Job Placement
Top flight schools in New York develop partnerships with aviation companies and airlines in an effort to maximize student job placement upon graduation. Specific figures of jobs placed are difficult to accurately obtain, however, you will want to request job placement figures and employment ratios with any prospective flight schools.
New York Pilot Employment Facts & Figures
Upon graduating from pilot training and obtaining your professional pilot license, you will naturally be interested in opportunities to gain more experience as a pilot as you work towards your next license. Listed below are some of the largest employers and average salaries for pilots in New York.
Employment
There are 5,430 airline pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer jobs in New York with a mean annual salary of $177,680 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Biggest Employer in New York State | Average Salary in New York State | Full or Part Time Pilots, Nationally |
| United Airlines | $233,405 | 16,000 |
| American Airlines | $112,172 | 15,550 |
| Delta Airlines | $143,337 | 14,840 |
| Jet Blue Airlines | $220,631 | 3,714 |
| United Parcel Service | $235,243 | 3,000 |
Salary
The average salary for a pilot in New York is $83,011 per year, $6,917 per month, or $1,596 per week.
Great Companies Hire Pilots From Great Schools
Now that you know the requirements, criteria, and schools to become a pilot, the next step is choosing which New York flight school is best for you! Your path to becoming a professional pilot cannot be without keeping up with all things aviation. Order your subscription to FLYING Magazine, today, to stay informed of the latest and greatest information pertaining to all aspects of the aviation industry!
FAQ
The process for becoming a pilot in New York is the same as any state. You first must be 18 years old, obtain a class II medical certificate, complete ground training, and log 40 hours of flight time with a certified flight instructor. You must also pass a written exam and an FAA practical flying test to obtain your professional pilot license.
It is difficult to pinpoint an exact figure specifically for New York flight schools due to the number of variables, such as chosen flight school, aircraft utilized, hours per week student is available, the number of times exams and flight tests are taken, etc. The national average for flight school is $10,574 with average costs ranging upwards of $16,000.
Depending on the type of pilot license and the time dedicated to achieving your license, becoming a pilot can take as little as two or three months for a professional pilot license. On the other hand, an Airline Transport License will take anywhere from three to five years to earn.
