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Are you ready for a career in the exciting field of air travel? Are you fascinated by airplane mechanics? Are you ready to take a team to the top? Then look no further. These are hands down the most affordable online degrees in Aeronautics and Aviation.
What kind of online aeronautics/aviation degree should you get?
The concentration you choose should be related to your professional goals. If you want to become a pilot, you should look into a degree in flight operations. If your interests focus more on allied aviation professions, consider a degree in aviation security or aviation management. Be sure to spend time looking at the requirements for a program in aeronautics rather than aviation, as some of these programs target support personnel rather than pilots.
A flight operations degree program prepares students to work as commercial airline pilots. While general education courses can be taken online, obvious hands-on training requirements mean that these types of programs are never 100% online. Some programs may require students to already have a multi-engine pilot's license to enroll.
Aviation management and security degree programs look at the logistical challenges surrounding aviation and aeronautics. These programs supplement a basic understanding of aviation with coursework on business management, airport security, and marketing.
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How much money do people make with an online aeronautics/aviation degree?
Aviation graduates often go on to become airline or commercial pilots. These aviators made more than $100,000 per year in 2018. To fly for an airline, one must have a bachelor's degree, but commercial pilots only need a high school diploma and a pilot's license. Aeronautics and aviation graduates can also pursue careers as air traffic controllers, who made nearly $125,000 per year in 2018.
While these jobs pay above average, new positions don't open up often. Both paid pilot positions and air traffic control jobs are expected to grow at a rate of less than 5 percent for the next decade.
What can you do with an online aeronautics/aviation degree?
Those with pilot's licenses and aeronautics/aviation degrees can become commercial pilots or airline pilots. Some of these move on to serve as flight instructors.
Commercial pilot is a catch-all title for any pilot who makes money in aviation. They fly for government organizations, corporations, medical services, and other groups. They must have instrument ratings for certain types of operations.
Pilots with thousands of hours of experience who pass written and practical exams can become airline pilots. Airline pilots also acquire aircraft type ratings, which allow them to fly a wider variety of aircraft on an as-needed basis.
Flight instructors use their years of experience in aviation and aeronautics to help train future pilots. They support new pilots as they learn how to operate a variety of aircraft. Flight instructors must have appropriate licenses and ratings for the aircraft on which they teach.
What are the requirements for an online aeronautics/aviation degree?
Applicants will need to supply transcripts or other proof of high school graduation, as well as transcripts from any other higher education institutions attended.
While not all schools require these, some schools will request ACT or SAT scores from all applicants.
Some programs require students to already have pilot's licenses. Note that programs that do not will still require students to pursue these licenses through face-to-face pilot instruction programs. Depending on the program, students may also need specific certifications or instrument ratings.
What are the best online aeronautics/aviation degrees?
If you're committed to an online aeronautics/aviation degree, use the rankings below to narrow down your selection. Using data taken from U.S. News & World Report and Payscale.com, these rankings show which aeronautics or aviation programs are the best and most affordable.
The rankings use a combination of the school's academic quality, potential return on investment, and satisfaction among its student body. Programs score highly if they have qualified faculty members, affordable tuition compared to salaries in the field, and solid graduation rates.
Take the time to review the admissions criteria for each program, as some will expect students to already have licenses or instrument ratings.
See our rankings methodology page.
#1 Most Affordable Online Aeronautics And Aviation Degrees
Eastern New Mexico University
- Portales, NM
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
A New Mexico school, Eastern New Mexico University offers premier online degrees for students looking for a competitive program from its campus in Portales. The public institution's 18 online bachelor's programs enroll 3,946 remote learners. The provides a rigorous education relevant to the industry to degree-seekers interested in aviation science.
The bachelor's program's virtual classroom space lets participants connect with peers, professors, and other members of the distance learning community. Enrollees gain knowledge relevant to the field in classes that cover foundational and advanced topics from the industry. Internships, research projects, and other experiential learning opportunities help learners practice hands-on skills to build their competency for a job. Career counseling, academic advising, and other institutional resources focused on student success are available to degree-seekers during the program.
Learners should meet with a financial aid officer to discuss funding opportunities to help with the costs of a degree. The college's students have many funding opportunities available to them, including fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid. The institution provides some type of financial assistance to 97% of its enrollees.
Percent Online Enrollment
69%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Most Affordable Online Aeronautics And Aviation Degrees
Central Washington University
- Ellensburg, WA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
An Ellensburg, Washington, school, Central Washington University offers premier online degrees for students looking for a competitive program. With 25 bachelor's programs available online, the public institution supports 10,718 virtual learners. The bachelor's in aviation management provides a rigorous, industry-related education to degree-seekers interested in aviation.
Connecting with colleagues and faculty in an online learning environment helps participants in the program get the full benefits from the supportive remote community. Classes covering foundational and advanced topics in provide enrollees with relevant knowledge for their future careers in the field. Learners can do experiential learning opportunities, like internships and research projects, to develop skills for a future job. Academic advising and career counseling are just some of the resources focused on student success that the institution offers to degree-seekers during the program.
Learners should meet with a financial aid officer to discuss funding opportunities to help with the costs of a degree. Funding opportunities at the college include many different fellowships, scholarships, and federal financial aid. Of all enrollees, 90% receive some kind of financial aid.
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#3 Most Affordable Online Aeronautics And Aviation Degrees
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Daytona Beach, FL
- 4 years
- Campus
Many people looking for a flexible virtual education in find the at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to be a great option. The Daytona Beach, Florida, college supports distance learners with institutional resources, like a helpful online community.
Aeronautics students learn industry knowledge through hands-on classes. The curriculum for the aeronautics degree includes courses on general education and advanced topics, with the option to individualize classes and choose electives. Hands-on learning opportunities let enrollees supplement their academic experience. Getting first-hand experience of working in the field is possible for degree-seekers who complete research, internships, or externships.
Prospective students can learn more about enrollment requirements by asking the admissions office. Of all enrollees, 95% receive some kind of financial aid, so students should check with the financial aid office to see if they meet the eligibility requirements for any funding opportunities. Eligible learners can benefit from scholarships, fellowships, and other aid opportunities to offset the cost of their degree.
Percent Online Enrollment
1%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Most Affordable Online Aeronautics And Aviation Degrees
Hampton University
- Hampton, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Degree-seekers from all walks of life pick Hampton University because the private institution provides flexible education opportunities. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the school supports 490 virtual learners around the country, offering 11 bachelor's program online. Many individuals planning for a career in aeronautics and aviation or a related field find the top-ranking bachelor's degree in aviation management and airport administration makes a great choice.
Students enrolled the aviation management program connect with supportive peers and distinguished faculty members. Degree-seekers do classwork and projects to advance their personal and professional goals in an online classroom space. Faculty-driven research, internships, and externships are some of the opportunities learners can get involved with. Choosing electives and customizing classes with the help of an advisor allows enrollees to tailor their academic experience to their needs and interests.
Many different internal and external opportunities for financial assistance help with the high price of an education at the college. If they qualify, students benefit from different types of financial assistance, such as fellowships and scholarships. Of all the college's enrollees, 96% get some kind of financial aid to help lower educational expenses.
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
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