Oops, posted before I was done.
Anyway, we have been debating aviation college vs. “nonaviation” college with flight school on the side. I worry a little that him being too specialized in his training might come back to bite him down the road but also recognize he is truly dedicated to the goal of being a pilot, so don’t want to push him down a more traditional path that he’s less invested in. And the finances of all this are a little overwhelming, particularly given what I understand salaries are for young pilots. This discussion has been very useful - other ideas of schools for us to consider, perspectives from a professional pilot, and suggestions from others on a similar journey. Thank you!
I think it’s also worth mentioning for those considering the military for pilot training that the training is not done during undergrad. A pilot’s license is not part of the curriculum at any service academy; flight training starts only after graduation IF the student is selected for aviation and IF the service selection involves flying. Also, if the service selection involves flying, the officer may be obligated for more than five years (exact commitment depends on some other factors) which is why it is important that officership rather than pilot be the goal.
(Should also amend a statement in my longer post above to read that the Army flies helicopters, not fixed wing.)
Does your daughter attend Florida Tech? My son has been offered a full tuition scholarship (booked engineering) and we are trying to get more opinions on the school.
I think it’s worth mentioning that there are many other career paths for a kid interested in aviation besides becoming a pilot. The human body has a nasty way of interfering with the best laid plans- I know a kid who was diagnosed with a very mild and not debilitating seizure disorder partway through a very pricey pilot training program and then what? Kid could lead a perfectly normal life… but NOT flying an airplane.
Your Kid interested in aviation- fantastic. Kid hopes to find a cost effective way to become a pilot- fantastic- go for it. Kid also needs plans B and C. For a “mathy” kid that could mean one of many paths in engineering. For a non-math kid that could mean exploring any number of roles in the commercial aviation world- marketing or communications at an airline, human resources at the FAA, investor relations (need good analytical and quant skills but not at the level of aerospace engineering) at an aircraft or engine company, etc.
Any career that has an unpredictable medical/physical component (NFL player, ballet dancer, pilot) has to be balanced with the reality that an injury or illness or undiagnosed chronic ailment could crop up during undergrad.
YMMV, but plan ahead.
@caugheyboymom my daughter goes to Florida Tech. I sent you a PM
OK - just did a spreadsheet and wanted to share some info. (for those that are stumbling down this path with their aviation kids 
There are so many aviation programs - a dime a dozen seems to be. The most established programs are: Embry Riddle (aka as the “Harvard of the Skies”) and at an average cost of $50k a year (not including flight time) it is also the most expensive. But they have a big fleet, adjacent to an airfield and the “name”. I just spoke to a pilot in an airport the other day (I do that a lot lately …my daughter would give me the evil eye if she saw me) and he went to E-R and said "don’t do it - I’m still paying off the debt - it is the MOST expensive option out there. So, unless $$ is not an object - probably not the choice for you.
Purdue is another long standing and respected program - and for out-of-state (unless you live in the Mid-west and can get the Midwest 150% of tuition thing) - it’s not cheap at $38k for tuition, room/board. But they have a sweet fleet including 16 Cirrus SR20s, two Piper Seminoles, a Super Decathlon a Beechjet and a Phenom 300 jet (only college w/1 - but this may be misleading since they also use it to fly their sports teams - so access is questionable).
And another well-respected one is University of North Dakota. If you can get over the tundra location from what I can tell, it’s one of the best values out there for all they offer. Pilots graduate with more flight time than other places (according to some sources - be sure to check). If you live in the West - then the total cost is only $19k for tuition/room/board (for those that live in the Western States). Very good value!! And their fleet is second to none (well, maybe E-R might have more) with an eight year fleet replacement contract that was signed in April of 2016 for a total of 80 Archer TXs and 20 Piper Seminoles. Since the signing of the contract, UND has taken delivery of 32 Piper trainers - 24 Archers and 8 Seminoles. I suspect that they don’t get as much flying time in the winter - but you never know! I’m sure their snow removal equipment is good up there. I’m going to try and do a sale job with our daughter on this one.
Western Michigan is another that is know for their aviation program. And even better (although specifics are unknown) is that they just partnered with Florida Southwestern to create a more temperate option. Not sure how that is going - and if they have a fleet - but worth checking out. Western Michigan runs about $25k per year for tuition/room/board (for out of state and the region).
San Jose State is another one to look at - esp if you are in-state (like us). They do not have a fleet (so I question their commitment to the program) - but at $22k in-state tuition/room/board, we are taking a look anyway.
And then there are two smaller school options that we also be taking a closer look at:
- Central Washington (with our WUE discount) comes in at $21k for us for tuition/room/board - they just bought 5 Piper Archer's and they have an intriguing 3 year accelerated pilot training. Will be interested to hear how many hours that the students manage to get in during that time.
- Southern Utah is very affordable (but it is in the middle of nowhere - but does have skiing and the Grand Canyon not too far) at $18k a year (with WUE discount for us). What's impressive is that they just bought 10 Cirrus SR-20 airplanes and seven Robinson R-44 helicopters — and two flight simulators. We met a recruiter from here at a local college fair and she was very inspiring and enthusiastic. We will definitely visit it and see if our daughter thinks it's too rural. (but would beat the heck out of 15 feet of snow, right?)
Another one to look at (although not a huge contender for us since we are out-of-state and out of the area is Liberty University in VA. They also have a good program but at $33k for tuition/room/board is out of zone - plus our daughter is not a fan of the Christian focus. (she’s not a heathen - just not hugely into it at this point in her life). Looks like a great university though.
So - that’s what’s on our list for now. Will update once we start touring.
As a Private Pilot myself, I can tell you that you need lots of good weather to fly. The state with the clearest weather is Arizona. Embry Riddle is the cat’s meow of aviation schools and the aviation community is their champion. However, ASU might give you a better valu but I’ve never been on that campus.