Hi. I’m Meg. I just got my bachelor’s degree in medtech last year however it took me long enough to realize that this is what I want- to become a pilot ever since I was a kid. Aviation schools back in my country is hella expensive so that was one of the main reasons why I didn’t take it up. We couldn’t afford it. There’s no student loans back home. So i’ve been researching for months (bc i’ve moved to the us for good) now about which choice is better in terms of tuition and quality of education: enrolling in an aviation school and get a degree in aviation or enroll in a local flight school?
Megan,
My answer would be neither. Honestly I’m surprised by your question if in fact you’ve been “researching for months”. Aviation degrees are notoriously very expensive and take for years to complete. You already have a bachelor’s degree so why spend the time and money getting another?
Local flight schools however while don’t ask for much upfront can be incredibly inefficient and many students either take way too long and spend way too much money due to a lack of consistency.
If you’re looking for the best route to the airlines, particularly if you already have a degree you should be looking at professional accelerated programs like ATP (whos forum this is). The training is excellent and recognized by every airline in the country and the rates (while not cheap, flight training never is) is actually pretty reasonable based on what the program provides.
All the above said, you don’t mention your status in this country and should know that to work as a pilot in the US (even as a flight instructor) you must be either a citizen or have permanent resident status.
Adam
Hello thank you for your feedback. I am a permanent residence. Yes. I was looking up at ATP and Epic.
And i thought that getting another degree would like lessen the cost in the tuition because of the student aid. I got this thought from my brother who’s entering college.
Megan,
While federal aid is available in most cases it doesn’t cover “lab” fees (ie. the flight training). Further even if it did pilots have a finite number of years they can fly. Senior Capts earn over $350k yr. If you went the 4yr university route it would take you 5yrs to get to an airline (3 if you went for a 2yr degree). That’s 3yrs longer than ATP. That’s over a million dollars in lost earning potential (not to mention seniority and other benefits) you’ll never recoup to save thousands now.
Adam
Thank you, Adam, for that. I will think about it. Thank you!