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What is a Commercial Airline Pilot?

The commercial airline pilot field degree is the study in business focused on flight, navigation, and accommodations of airplanes, helicopters and other FAA approved aircraft.  Commercial airline pilots fly for commercial airlines or for private carriers that transport cargo and people on defined schedules.  A commercial airline pilot can also fly for a variety of other purposes including crop dusting, aerial photography, rescue operations, firefighting, and charter flights.

Commercial airline pilot majors must understand of a number of engineering specialties such as avionics, aerodynamics, materials science, propulsion, manufacturing, and structural analysis.

They will gain academic knowledge and hands-on experience to understand many of the following academic concepts: fluid mechanics, engineering mechanics, mathematics, propulsion, control engineering, solid mechanics, aircraft structures, aerospace computer software, noise mitigation, flight test, aeroacoustics, computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnels, and hydrodynamics.

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Commercial Airline Pilot Degree

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Sciences at Baylor University offers an undergraduate program called Professional Pilot Concentration. This program is designed for those who want to pursue a career as a pilot. Baylor’s Flight School which is operated by Universal Flight Concepts is where flight training is being conducted. Baylor’s Flight School is located at Waco Regional Airport or at Texas State Technical College in Waco. 

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The bachelor’s degree in professional flight at Purdue University isn’t just offering a simple flight school, they also provide their students with a larger perspective of the aviation industry. Students will learn how an airplane is built and how to make wise decision making in the airline industry. Their students are taught by letting them fly at their state-of-art fleet and matching simulators. They will also gain knowledge from aviation professionals with significant industry experience. 

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Aviation degree at Letourneau University is structured with specialized courses that are specifically designed for the aviation professional. Their objective is to prepare their students to work in the multi-crew flight deck of complex transport category aircraft. The graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Graduates gain credentials that allow a pilot with fewer than 1,500 hours of flight time to serve as an airline co-pilot and while completing the required hours for an unrestricted ATP certificate. 

Acceptance Rate

44.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

It is said that if you are serious about taking a career in aviation, then you have to study near Chicago. Chicago, is the home of United Airlines and the 2nd busiest airport in the world. There is no better place to have direct access to the practical and hands-on experience but in Lewis University. Lewis University has an outstanding location in one of the most comprehensive regions in the world.

Acceptance Rate

63.9

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The BS degree in Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is known as the largest degree program for professional pilots in the world. Based on enrollment figures and fleet size, they can be considered who has the largest civilian flight training fleet in the United States. Their program emphasizes leadership ability as demanded by today’s leading aviation companies. Students will also gain knowledge and develop skills that can be applied to many endeavors, such as knowledge of effective resource management, safety awareness and human factors. 

Acceptance Rate

65.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The Professional Aviation degree at Louisiana Techh University's goal is to produce graduates with the ability to solve complex problems using science, mathematics, critical thinking and emerging technologies related to aviation. They also help their students in pursuing aviation careers beginning with entry-level careers both in industry or in government. Students will also develop the ability to function effectively and ethically whether individually or in a team situation. They also teach their students how to communicate effectively both in written and oral form. 

Acceptance Rate

64.09

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

The Department of Aviation in Farmingdale State College claims that they can help their students earn their wings for a career in a non-flight area of the diverse aeronautics industry. This Department has the largest Flight School in the Northeast Region. They are also the only SUNY school that offers a four-year degree in Aviation. Their fleet consists of 17 aircraft that they own and operate. Aviation Flight Center of Farmingdale State University is less than 2 miles from the main campus which makes it easy to access. 

Acceptance Rate

54.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Professional Flight degree program is offered at Auburn University. One of their goals is to develop aviation professionals that possess exceptional skills, knowledge, and values. They help their students acquire a global perspective and accept diverse cultures and ideas. They put effort and give everything that is needed in an aim to develop aviation professionals that aspire to lead.

Acceptance Rate

80.67

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Aviation Degree Program at Quincy University lets their students conduct solo flights by the end of their first semester. Here students won’t just be able to gain flight experiences but fellow aviation friends as well. The students are also given the privilege to talk and interact with Professional pilots on a daily basis at the Quincy Aviation FBO. They will also be given the chance to fly to many major American cities during training.

Acceptance Rate

61.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

California Baptist University’s students who study aviation flight graduates as a professional pilot with around 200-230 hours of flight time. There are also sometimes that they offer scholarships, in fall 2017, they recorded $50,000 in aviation scholarships. Their students will learn at their new fleet of piper aircraft. They also provide a 9,000 square-foot Flight Operations Center with classrooms and a flight planning room. 

Acceptance Rate

78.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Valparaiso University is a small private university that offers a top rated aviation degree program.  The sixty-two credit program is designed to lead students to three FAA certifications and 2 FAA ratings.  The Valparaiso curriculum is carefully curated to help students understand the requisite information about commercial flight via pragmatic and hands-on learning opportunities.  To learn more today, simply reach out to the VU admissions team to request an application and course catalog.    

Acceptance Rate

85.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Rocky Mountain College is devoted to educating and training individuals to be professionals and leaders in the aviation industry. They make sure that their graduates are well prepared to begin successful careers in a wide variety of jobs in professional aviation. As a result, their graduates get meaningful jobs. The quality of their entire program is verified by the Aviation Accreditation Board International. 

Acceptance Rate

59.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Bachelor of Science in Professional Pilot is offered at the University of Central Missouri. They structured the professional pilot program to support the growth of their students within the aviation industry. Throughout the studies, the students will become eligible for the restricted ATP certificate. They will also be able to effectively communicate and network with industry professionals. 

Acceptance Rate

65.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

An aviation degree from the College of Aviation at Western Michigan University is a program with only 1,100 undergraduate students and yet they are one of the largest aviation programs in the nation. They are also the only University that offers a comprehensive aviation program at a public University in Michigan. They claim that they have a powerful force in the future of aviation training. They have 80 years of aviation training plus excellent industry reputation. 

Acceptance Rate

79.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

A comprehensive aviation program is available at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. They offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aviation that are accredited by AABI. They have three different undergraduate majors to choose from, the Aviation Management, Aviation Technologies, and Aviation Flight. They have been providing an excellent and comprehensive program in aviation for 60 years.

Acceptance Rate

66.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Lynn University offers a program for Bachelor of Science in Professional Pilot, a degree one should have if he/she desires to become a pilot. The core classes that they provide teaches about the study of business and management. In addition to that, students will also learn about the history of aviation and operations. Students will enjoy the complete flight-training curriculum that will prepare them for a career as a pilot and serve them the knowledge that they need to take the RATP ground test.

Acceptance Rate

74.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Central Washington University was established in 1975 and the only fully accredited public university aviation program in the Pacific Northwest. They are also the regional leader in professional aviation education. CWU is recognized for having a stellar reputation for preparing students for the high demand for professional pilots. This major is designed for students with a passion for the combined art and science of aviation. 

Acceptance Rate

84.92

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Kasnas State Polytechnic University's Professional Pilot Program is an award-winning program in the field of aviation. This University is proud to have Master Certified Aviation Instructors than any other college or University in the nation. They own a premium fleet of 35 aircraft and flight training devices. Your education and experience are their main concern. They are committed to creating professionals that are not afraid to fly in all conditions.

Acceptance Rate

95.37

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

If you choose to pursue your professional pilot career with a degree from Westminster College, you will earn an industry-recognized aviation degree from a top flight university. They offer the kind of training that pilots receive at a regional airline level. Their students also enjoy saving thousands of dollars in flight training costs with reduced qualification hours. They also teach their students how pilots are selected for hire at the regional airline level. 

Acceptance Rate

91.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

BS degree in Aviation flight Technology is available at Eastern Michigan University. This program is designed to prepare graduates for a career as a professional pilot. The curriculum included specialized courses in automation, weather, crew resource management, aircraft systems, human factors, and industry regulations. Completion of this program leads to a private pilot, commercial pilot, and certified flight instructor certificates.

Acceptance Rate

74.06

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary studies, Bachelor of Aviation Science and Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies are the degrees offered at Southern Utah University that enhance students’ aviation goals. SUU is very proud to have the largest university-owned helicopter training fleet in the world. They are also the highest altitude university flight school in their country. Additionally, SUU has one of the most up-to-date aviation maintenance training programs in the world. 

Acceptance Rate

78.35

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Utah State University is offering a Professional Pilot degree program for students who intend to pursue a career as an airline pilot or for those who wish to own aviation-related business. In their first two years in this program, students are required to complete courses which develop general flying skills and provide background in aviation. In the third and fourth year, students will spend most of their time improving flight skills. They will also take courses in commercial certification, aviation law and more to prepare for their future careers.

Acceptance Rate

90.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

University of Dubuque’s faculty and staff members are qualified and currently in their fields. They make sure that their high-caliber curriculum that they maintain is current and relevant. They are committed to their learning outcomes and still strive for improvement. Those are just some of the reasons why the Universitiy of Dubuque's Flight and Management degree programs are accredited by AAB international accreditation and highly respected degrees by industry professionals.

Acceptance Rate

72.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Jacksonville University's Aviation Management & Flight Operations degree programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International. Their graduates will have 1,000 flight hours and can qualify for a Restricted-Airline Transport Pilot certificate. They can offer a direct career path to the airlines. Moreover, this University joined the national all-women transcontinental air race and became the winner of the 2011 Air Race Classic. 

Acceptance Rate

91.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Management program has a proud history in Aviation. In the year 1939, they became one of the 404 colleges to participate in the Civilian Pilot Training Program that trains pilots for World War II. Since then, they have always followed a path of continuous improvement and innovation. They also offer, BS degree program in Aviation.

Acceptance Rate

80.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

How to Become a Commercial Airline Pilot

The steps to become a commercial airline pilot are important to understand as you look to a career in the field. We have outlined the requisite steps below to help you make sense of the process and find the right college program for you. Make sure to track each step carefully through the process to ensure you understand the current and future requirements to become a commercial airline pilot.

Step 1: Establish a Personal Priority List

By establishing a priority list, you will be ready to make life-changing decisions based on what is important to you. Without a personal priority list, you will be relegated to one-size-fits-all college rankings pushed by massive media companies that do not know you. To create your priority list, start by asking yourself a series of questions found on page 3 and 4 of our College Admissions Guide.

Step 2: Request Commercial Pilots Feedback

Take the time to share your priority list with your school counselors, teachers, family members, friends and school alumni. They will each have a unique perspective and provide you with valuable input.

Step 3: Perform a Pilot Self-Assessment

Taking stock of your strengths and weaknesses coupled with likes and dislikes, you will be ready to move to the next step of gathering information from colleges offering aviation programs. A self-assessment should include academic preferences, social influences, learning style, career objectives, and work-life balance considerations.

Step 4: Gather Information & Get Matched

Collecting quality information from accredited aviation schools found on this page will help you align programs with your priorities. Free services like MatchCollege will help you quickly get matched to a number of programs of interest to quickly research schools of interest. After receiving information from the list of colleges and universities on your list, you will have the information in-hand to make a final college decision.

Upon deciding on a short list of schools, you will need to apply to each school. Be diligent about outlining your work experience, carefully follow directions, and apply early. Once your application is in queue, reach out to the financial aid office to talk about financial aid options. As specific questions about grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans before committing to college.

Step 5:  Commercial Pilot Acceptance & Classes

Once you accept a schools offer of admissions you will need to understand the timing, processes, and resources needed to begin matriculation in aviation school. The school will schedule a time for orientation, and you will meet with your advisor to begin mapping out a course plan towards a specific degree.

Step 6: Private Pilot Certificate, Experience, Work

The final set of steps will need to be considered if not included in your degree program. First, you may want to earn a private pilot license along with instrument ratings and multi-engine ratings.

Airline Pilot Certificate & Training Programs

A private pilot license will allow students to fly single-engine planes with a focus on the fundamentals of flying. A certificate in instrument rating will allow students to fly under IFR in all weather conditions while a multi-engine ratings provides the ability to fly larger and faster aircraft. Students will be required to earn a commercial pilot certificate to ensure experience and aptitude requirements are met prior to being legally paid to fly.

Many students elect to earn a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate of completion. A CFI will allow students to make money while helping others as they aggregate the necessary experience to become a pilot. The typical flight hours required for an ATP certificate is 1,500 hours. Upon meeting the ATP requirements, you will be eligible to apply for a commercial airline pilot position for most regional airlines.

What Classes Do Commercial Pilots Take?

The exact classes you will take depends on the college or university in which you enroll. Schools will vary courses from school to school so make sure to check the course catalog carefully to understand their requirements.

A typical set of classes you will take include a blend of liberal arts classes with core classes. General education classes will include classes like communications, English composition, history, philosophy, psychology, and math. Core classes in aviation with an emphasis in being a commercial pilot may include the following courses:

Aviation Science Flight Environment
Intro to the Aviation Administration Flight Physiology
Air Transportation Management Airport Management
Aviation Law Customer Service
Finance for Aviation Professionals Airline Management
Air Traffic Management Aviation Marketing
Crew Resource Management Private Pilot Certification
Aviation Security Ground Instrumentation
Ethical Issues Commercial Flight Commercial Pilot
Modern Avionics

Aviation Employment & Private Pilot Certificate

For students that earn a college degree as commercial airline pilots will be technically sound and mentally equipped to fly. Piloting a variety of vessels will take practice and know-how that can only come with formal training. Students seeking an alternate to commercial flying may be interested in gaining credentials in other fields. Examples of these careers associated with aviation can include air traffic controller, aerospace engineer, operations technician, engineering manager, electrical engineering, electrician, industrial engineer, materials engineer, mechanical engineer, and project manager.

Commercial Pilot Salary & Jobs

The mean annual income for a commercial airline pilot is currently $89,350 which is more than twice the national median for all jobs. The top 10% will make in excess of $152,000 a year with the bottom twenty-five percent will average around sixty-thousand dollars a year.

States employing the most commercial pilots are Texas and California followed by Florida, Ohio, and Arizona. Interestingly enough, the states paying commercial pilots the highest salary do not intersect with the most popular. Top paying states for commercial airline pilots are New Hampshire, Connecticut, Georgia, District of Columbia, and New Mexico which all average over $110,000 annually.

Professional Pilot Program Resources

For additional information about the aviation industry, associations such as the Airline Pilots Association (APA) and Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA) may be a good starting point. Associations help bring professionals together and provide tools & resources for aviators from all around the country.

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