How to Make a Solid Financial Choice for Your Aviation Education

Learn how you can use a new study to get the best return on your investment.

Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 09:40 AM ET

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You should consider a variety of other factors if considering a collegiate aviation program, but value and return on investment are very important things to think about. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

A recent study by Preston Cooper offers a valuable tool for aspiring pilots to compare the Return on Investment (ROI) of collegiate aviation programs by analyzing program costs against graduate earnings.
When evaluating programs, focus on "air transportation" degrees, prioritizing those with lower net tuition and overall education-related spending (including flight costs) that still offer a strong ROI.
Despite high upfront costs, the long-term career earnings for professional pilots make the investment in collegiate aviation programs worthwhile, as significant lifetime ROI is achievable.
School pedigree or prestige is less important than practical considerations like lower costs, acquiring the necessary flight ratings, and gaining flight experience, as employers prioritize qualifications.

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Of the many paths to professional piloting, college aviation programs are straightforward and efficient. However, many of these programs come with astronomical price tags. How can an aspiring aviator get the most bang for their buck when choosing an aviation university?

Powerful Data

Until recently, it would have been very difficult to compare our options. Thankfully though, an intrepid researcher named Preston Cooper just completed a project for the The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, and we now have an incredibly powerful tool for comparing aviation universities.