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Airframe mechanic education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an airframe mechanic. Airframe mechanics usually study aviation, automotive technology, or business. 41% of airframe mechanics hold a high school diploma, and 32% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 849 real airframe mechanic resumes to see exactly what airframe mechanic education sections show.
The most common colleges for airframe mechanics are the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.
There are also many online airframe mechanic courses to help get the education required to be an airframe mechanic.
What education do you need to become an airframe mechanic?
What degree do you need to be an airframe mechanic?
- High School Diploma, 41%
- Associate, 32%
- Bachelor's, 15%
- Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become an airframe mechanic?
- Aviation, 37%
- Business, 7%
- General Studies, 6%
- Other Majors, 32%
Most common colleges for airframe mechanics
| Airframe mechanic common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 13.79% |
| University of Phoenix | 10.34% |
| Western Washington University | 6.90% |
| Santa Fe College | 6.90% |
| Park University | 6.90% |
Best majors for airframe mechanics
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviation | 36.8% |
| 2 | Automotive Technology | 18.4% |
| 3 | Business | 7.2% |
| 4 | General Studies | 6.3% |
| 5 | Aerospace Engineering | 3.1% |
Best colleges for airframe mechanics
The best colleges for airframe mechanics are Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Saint Louis University.
An airframe mechanic with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for airframe mechanics. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become airframe mechanics.
1. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
3. Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS • Private
In-state tuition
$10,383
Enrollment
17,611
4. Baker College
Owosso, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$9,800
Enrollment
8,319
5. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
6. Worldwide Campus
Daytona Beach, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$9,360
Enrollment
10,254
7. Utah State University
Logan, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$8,138
Enrollment
21,658
8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
9. Lewis University
Romeoville, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$32,450
Enrollment
4,217
10. Vermont Technical College
Randolph, VT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,108
Enrollment
1,350
20 best online courses for airframe mechanics
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Top 10 most affordable universities for airframe mechanics
The most affordable schools for airframe mechanics are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university - idaho, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.
If the best universities for airframe mechanics are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for airframe mechanics.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
In-state tuition
$4,118
Cost of attendance
12,223
3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK • Private
In-state tuition
$6,750
Cost of attendance
15,839
7. Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,194
Cost of attendance
14,934
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for airframe mechanics
The hardest universities for airframe mechanics to get into are Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Saint Louis University.
Some great schools for airframe mechanics are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for airframe mechanics based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
2. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,359
3. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
4. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,091
6. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
Admissions rate
30%
SAT average
1,339
7. Lewis University
Romeoville, IL • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,142
8. Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL • Private
Admissions rate
65%
SAT average
1,264
9. Walla Walla University
College Place, WA • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,114
10. Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,133
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for airframe mechanics
The easiest schools for airframe mechanics to get into are South Dakota State University, suny farmingdale, and brigham young university - idaho.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an airframe mechanic without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for airframe mechanics.
1. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,091
3. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,140
4. Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,073
5. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Crookston, MN • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,104
6. Middle Georgia State University
Macon, GA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
980
7. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
8. Salem State University
Salem, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,065
9. Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,107
10. Averett University
Danville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
61%
SAT average
953
Average airframe mechanic salary by education level
| Airframe mechanic education level | Airframe mechanic salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $60,237 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,169 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $67,133 |
Airframe mechanic education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025