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Airline pilot education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an airline pilot. Airline pilots usually study aviation, business, or aerospace engineering. 70% of airline pilots hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 345 real airline pilot resumes to see exactly what airline pilot education sections show.
The most common colleges for airline pilots are the Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
There are also many online airline pilot courses to help get the education required to be an airline pilot.
There are certain airline pilot certifications that you should consider. These airline pilot certifications include Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Commercial Pilot (CP).
What education do you need to become an airline pilot?
What degree do you need to be an airline pilot?
- Bachelor's, 70%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 13%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become an airline pilot?
Most common colleges for airline pilots
| Airline pilot common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 10.91% |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach | 10.91% |
| University of North Dakota | 9.09% |
| Western Michigan University | 7.27% |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 7.27% |
Best majors for airline pilots
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviation | 43.9% |
| 2 | Business | 15.6% |
| 3 | Aerospace Engineering | 7.8% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 4.4% |
| 5 | Management | 3.3% |
Best colleges for airline pilots
The best colleges for airline pilots are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An airline pilot with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for airline pilots. 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 airline pilots.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$45,542
Enrollment
14,159
5. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Crookston, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$11,822
Enrollment
1,834
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,105
Enrollment
13,729
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$27,124
Enrollment
2,035
10. Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Mesa, AZ • Private
In-state tuition
$9,840
Enrollment
4,495
20 best online courses for airline pilots
Advertising disclosure
1. Flight Mechanics - Anemobarometry
This course focuses on the physics of the atmosphere and its consequences on speed and altitude measurements. At the end of this course, you will understand precisely the meaning of the speed and altitude indication available to the pilot of an airplane. You will understand the difference between standard and actual atmosphere and be able to perform basic altitude and speed correction computations. You will understand why jet airliners need to be pressurized, or why a clogged Pitot tube can...
2. Fundamentals of Flight mechanics
How do planes take off? How do they fly? How do pilots maintain control of them? And how high can airplanes fly? Get answers to all these questions and more with this specialization exploring the fundamentals of flight mechanics. You will learn how the laws of physics apply to airplanes and discover important concepts in aviation including lift, drag, and propulsion...
3. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
4. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
5. Flight mechanics - Propulsive balance and energy
This course is dedicated to energy management, i.e. speed and altitude control. The various sources of drag are first described and modeled, as well as thrust origin, and evolution with speed and altitude. Using these models, we can evaluate the propulsive balance and derive important concepts like flight regimes, best climb speed, or propulsion ceiling. We take then a glance at cruise performances and the evolution of range with weight. This course is a part of the specialization "Fundamentals...
6. Flight mechanics - Lift and trajectory
In this course, you will understand the influence of the angle of attack and speed on the lift. Then we will focus on hazards and limitations, like stall, spiral dive, or flutter. You will understand why stall phenomenon and Mach number limit the maximum lift and altitude the airplane can achieve. Then, you must understand what is flutter and why the altitude and speed of the airplane must be restricted to a safe domain. In the end, we will explain how to control the trajectory of the airplane...
7. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
8. Phantom & Mavic Flightschool - flight training & Go4 app
Master your flying skills & the DJI Go flight modes like Tapfly, Active Track, Waypoints, Point of interest & more!...
9. Development of Secure Embedded Systems
Three people died after the crash landing of an Asiana Airlines aircraft from Seoul, Korea, at San Fransisco International Airport (SFO) on July 6, 2013. The American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) established that the crash most probably was caused by the flight crew's (in)actions. Three teenage girls lost their lives; two in the airplane and another was accidentally run over by a firetruck.\n\nThe human factor is often cause for accidents. NTSB and others report that more than 50...
10. Aerospace Engineering: Airplanes, Airlines and Airports
Understand how Airplanes generate Lift, how Airlines and Airports operate and what is Aerospace Engineering today...
11. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
12. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
13. (Core) 4hr FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test Prep for Drone Pilots
Save time, skip fluff & learn the important stuff...
14. UAS FAR 107 FAA Drone Exam Preparation - INCLUDES NEW RULES
Prepare to pass the FAA knowledge test for UAS Remote Pilot Certification (RPC)...
15. The Operations Management Training Program
Learn how to design, plan, direct, and improve all the activities that transform resources into goods or services...
16. UAS/Drone Remote Pilot Test Prep for Part 107
Don't learn just enough to pass the exam (updated 2023)...
17. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
18. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
19. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...
20. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
Top 10 most affordable universities for airline pilots
The most affordable schools for airline pilots are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for airline pilots 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 airline pilots.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
10. York College of the City University of New York
Jamaica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,158
Cost of attendance
14,204
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for airline pilots
The hardest universities for airline pilots to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for airline pilots 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 airline pilots 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
9. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for airline pilots
The easiest schools for airline pilots to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an airline pilot 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 airline pilots.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
7. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
8. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
9. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
10. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
Average airline pilot salary by education level
| Airline pilot education level | Airline pilot salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $88,440 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $86,335 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025