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Aviation mechanic education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an aviation mechanic. Aviation mechanics usually study aviation, business, or automotive technology. 32% of aviation mechanics hold a high school diploma, and 31% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,812 real aviation mechanic resumes to see exactly what aviation mechanic education sections show.
The most common colleges for aviation mechanics are the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.
There are also many online aviation mechanic courses to help get the education required to be an aviation mechanic.
There are certain aviation mechanic certifications that you should consider. These aviation mechanic certifications include Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).
What education do you need to become an aviation mechanic?
What degree do you need to be an aviation mechanic?
- High School Diploma, 32%
- Associate, 31%
- Bachelor's, 25%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become an aviation mechanic?
- Aviation, 37%
- Business, 11%
- General Studies, 6%
- Other Majors, 35%
Most common colleges for aviation mechanics
| Aviation mechanic common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 16.49% |
| University of Phoenix | 10.31% |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach | 10.31% |
| DeVry University | 9.28% |
| Saint Leo University | 6.19% |
Best majors for aviation mechanics
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviation | 37.0% |
| 2 | Business | 11.3% |
| 3 | Automotive Technology | 10.7% |
| 4 | General Studies | 6.4% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 5.7% |
Best colleges for aviation mechanics
The best colleges for aviation mechanics are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An aviation 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 aviation 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 aviation mechanics.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
2. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
3. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Crookston, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$11,822
Enrollment
1,834
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Baker College
Owosso, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$9,800
Enrollment
8,319
6. Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$27,124
Enrollment
2,035
7. SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
Cobleskill, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,654
Enrollment
2,231
8. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville
Morrisville, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,670
Enrollment
2,758
9. Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS • Private
In-state tuition
$10,383
Enrollment
17,611
10. University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK • Private
In-state tuition
$8,580
Enrollment
10,482
20 best online courses for aviation mechanics
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8. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
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9. Maintenance Planning Basics
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16. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
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17. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
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18. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
19. Safety Management System for Civil Aviation (SMS)
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20. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification
Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for aviation mechanics
The most affordable schools for aviation mechanics are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for aviation 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 aviation mechanics.
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. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for aviation mechanics
The hardest universities for aviation mechanics to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for aviation 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 aviation 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. 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. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for aviation mechanics
The easiest schools for aviation mechanics 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 aviation 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 aviation mechanics.
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. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
7. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
8. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
9. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average aviation mechanic salary by education level
| Aviation mechanic education level | Aviation mechanic salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $53,672 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $61,882 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $61,838 |
Aviation 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