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Aviation structural mechanic education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an aviation structural mechanic. Aviation structural mechanics usually study aviation, business, or general studies. 41% of aviation structural mechanics hold a high school diploma, and 27% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 2,609 real aviation structural mechanic resumes to see exactly what aviation structural mechanic education sections show.

The most common colleges for aviation structural mechanics are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online aviation structural mechanic courses to help get the education required to be an aviation structural mechanic.

What education do you need to become an aviation structural mechanic?

What degree do you need to be an aviation structural mechanic?

The most common degree for aviation structural mechanics is high school diploma, with 41% of aviation structural mechanics earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 21%.
  • High School Diploma, 41%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • Associate, 21%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become an aviation structural mechanic?

You should major in aviation to become an aviation structural mechanic. 28% of aviation structural mechanics major in aviation. Other common majors for an aviation structural mechanic include business and general studies.

Most common colleges for aviation structural mechanics

Aviation structural mechanics often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, American InterContinental University, and Florida State College at Jacksonville. Here are the most common colleges for aviation structural mechanics in the US based on their resumes.
Aviation structural mechanic common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix18.18%
American InterContinental University10.10%
Florida State College at Jacksonville7.07%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach6.06%
Old Dominion University5.05%

Best majors for aviation structural mechanics

RankMajorPercentages
1Aviation27.8%
2Business17.7%
3General Studies9.2%
4Automotive Technology5.6%
5Criminal Justice4.3%

Best colleges for aviation structural mechanics

The best colleges for aviation structural mechanics are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

An aviation structural 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 structural 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 structural 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 structural mechanics

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15. Structural Engineering Abaqus Tutorials

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17. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling

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Top 10 most affordable universities for aviation structural mechanics

The most affordable schools for aviation structural mechanics are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for aviation structural 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 structural 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 structural mechanics

The hardest universities for aviation structural mechanics to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for aviation structural 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 structural 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 structural mechanics

The easiest schools for aviation structural 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 structural 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 structural 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 structural mechanic salary by education level

Aviation structural mechanics with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $66,752 annually. With a Associate degree, aviation structural mechanics earn a median annual income of $66,721 compared to $60,907 for aviation structural mechanics with an High School Diploma degree.
Aviation structural mechanic education levelAviation structural mechanic salary
High School Diploma or Less$60,907
Bachelor's Degree$66,752
Some College/ Associate Degree$66,721

Aviation structural mechanic education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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