Should Prospective Pilots Go to College?

Are the time and expense worth it after airline decisions to eliminate degree requirements?

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 09:56 AM ET

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Michael Wildes makes the argument that college can offer you a lot more things than just a degree. But is it worth it for prospective pilots? [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Delta Air Lines recently removed its college degree requirement for pilot applicants, challenging traditional training pathways and potentially easing financial barriers for aspiring pilots.
Despite this industry shift, the author argues that a college education still offers significant value through networking, social development, personal growth, and unique opportunities not found elsewhere.
The change is expected to shake up the pilot training industry, potentially forcing colleges to adapt by making their programs more accessible and cost-effective.

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When I recently wrote about pursuing your CFI via the Part 61 route, my whole argument was based on the advantage that pilots who were enrolled in college pilot training programs had—that is, only being required to earn 1,000 hours of flight time for their restricted airline transport pilot certificate (R-ATP).

I didn’t anticipate that at the same time, Delta Air Lines was preparing its own press release, announcing that it would no longer require college degrees of applicant pilots.