Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Military pilot education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a military pilot. Military pilots usually study aviation, business, or aerospace engineering. 77% of military pilots hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 63 real military pilot resumes to see exactly what military pilot education sections show.
The most common colleges for military pilots are the Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
There are also many online military pilot courses to help get the education required to be a military pilot.
What education do you need to become a military pilot?
What degree do you need to be a military pilot?
- Bachelor's, 77%
- Master's, 18%
- Diploma, 3%
- Associate, 3%
What should I major in to become a military pilot?
- Aviation, 22%
- Business, 13%
- Management, 7%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for military pilots
| Military pilot common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 13.04% |
| University of Washington | 8.70% |
| Alcorn State University | 4.35% |
| Ohio State University | 4.35% |
| Villanova University | 4.35% |
Best majors for military pilots
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviation | 22.2% |
| 2 | Business | 13.3% |
| 3 | Aerospace Engineering | 11.1% |
| 4 | Management | 6.7% |
| 5 | Political Science | 6.7% |
Best colleges for military pilots
The best colleges for military pilots are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A military 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 military 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 military pilots.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
20 best online courses for military pilots
Advertising disclosure
1. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
2. UAS/Drone Remote Pilot Test Prep for Part 107
Don't learn just enough to pass the exam (updated 2023)...
3. UAS/UAV (Drone) Remote Pilot Certification Test - Part 107
The comprehensive guide to passing the FAA Drone Pilot Knowledge Exam...
4. 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!...
5. UAS FAR 107 FAA Drone Exam Preparation - INCLUDES NEW RULES
Prepare to pass the FAA knowledge test for UAS Remote Pilot Certification (RPC)...
6. (Core) 4hr FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test Prep for Drone Pilots
Save time, skip fluff & learn the important stuff...
7. DJI Drones: How To Become The Ultimate Pilot
Fly with confidence, get professional videos, stay safe and get in the air quickly!...
8. Learn Military Close Combat Training Captain Chris Pizzo
Military Hand-To-Hand Self Defense System Lets You Humiliate Younger, Tougher, BIGGER and More Experienced Attackers...
9. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
10. FAA Part 107 Exam Prep with Quizlet and PDF Study Materials
Pass the exam with the help of an experienced drone pilot and Professor (2023 Updates Included)...
11. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
12. Become a master drone pilot in 2 weeks and start a business
Learn to fly a drone cinematically and get proven tips on how to start and manage an aerial filming business...
13. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics
This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...
14. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.
OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...
15. Calligraphy for Beginners: Creating Strong Lines
A Fun Introduction to the Pilot Parallel Pen...
16. Introduction to 2 & 3D Drone Modeling With Agisoft Metashape
Building 2D & 3D Models with drone images and Metashape. Drone flight setups and basic modeling with Metashape...
17. Advanced Close Combat Training: Scientific Self Defense
How To Download the world's deadliest self defense moves directly into your brain...
18. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...
19. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
20. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
Top 10 most affordable universities for military pilots
The most affordable schools for military pilots are SUNY Farmingdale, university of florida, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for military 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 military pilots.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for military pilots
The hardest universities for military pilots to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for military 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 military 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. Rice University
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for military pilots
The easiest schools for military pilots to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, holy names university, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a military 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 military pilots.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
10. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
Average military pilot salary by education level
| Military pilot education level | Military pilot salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $104,986 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $101,917 |
Military pilot education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common transportation questions.
Search for military pilot jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025