Aviation is an incredible field to enter into. Becoming a pilot can be challenging, but in the end nothing is as rewarding as taking to the air. Maybe you want to become an airline pilot or maybe you have just always wanted to learn. Either way, we support your goals! This is the list of both the universities with flight programs and the stand alone flight academies located in the State of Florida. Good news is, there are plenty to choose from no matter what your goals, expectations, or budget! We have included some basic information for each program in the hopes that our list will help you make your decision about where you will learn to take to the air!
1. Embry Riddle University
Location: Daytona Beach
Tuition: 36,868
School size: 7,056
Founded in 1926, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University specializes in Aerospace education. It has a long and rich history of producing capable pilots! If you are looking to work as a pilot then Embry Riddle is a fantastic place to start. You can earn a BS in Aeronautical Science, which can includes certification in multi-engine, instrument-rated aircraft that are backed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Students learn to pilot Cessna 172s and Diamond DA42s while balancing their in-class coursework. Speaking of in-class coursework, you will be expected to take classes in calculus and physics in order to complete the curriculum. Embry Riddle has been a national leader in Aeronautical education for decades. Begin your journey to becoming a pilot by joining the faculty and student body of Embry Riddle. Check out their website today.
2. Jacksonville University
Location: Jacksonville
Tuition: $38,140
School size: 4,164
If you were to drive north on I-95 from Daytona Beach, you would run straight into Jacksonville University just under two hours later. The Jacksonville University School of Aviation has been around for more than 35 years and continues to train young people who want to be pilots. Jacksonville partners with the L3 Airline Academy in order to train student pilots. Students can choose from a number of different majors, including Management and Flight Operations. If you are interested in serving your country as a pilot, JU offers two distinct tracks, one for the Navy and one for the Marine Corps. There is also a commercial pilot track, as well. Jacksonville University has the facilities and the curriculum in place to help you become an excellent pilot. Interested? Get on their website today and see if this is the right place for you.
3. Lynn University
Location: Boca Raton
Tuition: $37,600
School size: 3,000
The Burton D. Morgan College of Aeronautics at Lynn University has a number of specializations and certificate programs available for all sorts of aspiring pilots. Want to earn a full-fledged BS as a professional pilot? Check. They’ve got it. Or, maybe you’re thinking of getting your private pilot’s license certification and do not need the BS. Well, they have got a program for that, as well! Maybe you want a BS but do not have the time to attend class during the day. No problem, the coursework aspect of the BS program can be completed online! Lynn University offers one of the most flexible options for those of you want to get in the sky! The curriculum will prepare you for your ground examination so you will be all squared-away to fly. If any of these programs sound appealing to you, then we suggest you begin by getting on the Lynn website and finding out more about their program.
4. Polk State College
Location: Winter Haven
Tuition: $8,000-$84,200*
School size: 20,000
Do you want to learn to fly without having to break the bank? Polk State may be the ideal option for you, then. Polk State offers the following programs: a BS in Aerospace Science and an AS in Professional Pilot Science. Both programs will get you into the cockpit and into the skies. Which one you choose is up to you! Students attend three flight labs per week as part of their education. One of the big differences between the BS and AS programs is time to completion. The AS requires 64 credit hours while the BS requires 120. Either way, you cannot go wrong with Polk State. By the end of the BS program, you could be certified to fly multi-engine aircraft! Sound like something you want to be a part of? Then get on the Polk State website and learn about the school’s admission requirements, the degree program, and class schedule.
*Tuition for Polk State Aerospace degrees range from $8,000 for the Associate in Science in Aerospace Administration to $84,200 for the Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Sciences with a concentration in Pilot Science.
5. Florida Memorial University
Location: Miami
Tuition: $16,236
School size: 1,800
Florida Memorial is a private, historically black college (HBCU) based in Miami. It is also home to one of the best pilot schools in Florida. Florida Memorial has its own squadron of Cessna 172 planes and is located incredibly close to Opa-Locka Airport. This means less time commuting in a car and more time flying! Beyond the tarmac, FMU awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to aviation students every year. The university is also partnered with a number of leading airlines so you can learn from professionals during an internship or mentorship phase. That includes American Airlines and Spirit Airlines! If you want to fly planes commercially then Florida Memorial can equip you to succeed! If you are interested in the program at Florida Memorial, get on their website. See if this is the place that is right for you!
We hope that our list has been helpful in guiding your research into graduate school and programs. Our list does not include any paid or preferred listings. It is prepared subjectively, using several metrics, including (but not limited to): tuition per credit hour, acceptance rate, number of programs offered, and availability of funding. If you are a representative for a university and want to contact us about a) your schools ranking or b) the fact your school is not included, please feel free to get in touch. We welcome feedback and input. Thank you for reading our list!
