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Top Colleges for Veterans: Aeronautics & Aviation Degrees

Looking for a post-military career in aeronautics and aviation? Earn a great degree at a top-ranked military-friendly college with the Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees.

Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees

Professionals in aeronautics and aviation are always in high demand. This is one of the few career paths that have consistent job stability along with great pay and excellent benefits. This career path comes in various jobs with opportunities in all 50 states and across the globe!

With all military branches having aviation components, many veterans will already have a great deal of experience and knowledge. For those on the aviation side of the armed services, a transition into a second career in aeronautics is an excellent fit. For those less familiar with these fields, an introduction to aviation and aeronautics is an excellent choice.

By definition, aviation is the making and flying of aircraft while aeronautics studies the design, mathematics, construction, and other aircraft mechanics (including all flight-capable machines capable of operating in the Earth’s atmosphere). Many times, the terms are used interchangeably.

Popular Jobs in Aeronautics and Aviation

Aircraft Mechanic

Technician is responsible for aircraft repairs and preventative and routine maintenance. Average Annual Salary: $50,000

Avionics Technician

Responsible for repairs, preventative and routine maintenance of aircraft electronics. Average Annual Salary: $50,000

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

Supervises the ground crew in the loading, unloading, and staging of aircraft cargo. Average Annual Salary: $58,000

Airfield Operations Specialist

Ensures the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Average Annual Salary: $58,000

Air Traffic Controller

Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport and between control centers. Average Annual Salary: $ 120,000

Flight Engineer

Navigates the flight of aircraft for the transport of passengers and/or cargo. Average Annual Salary: $175,000

Distinguishing the Top Colleges for Aeronautics & Aviation Degrees

The Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees will offer one (and preferably more than one) of the following opportunities for military members and veterans to earn credit for knowledge, experience, and skills:

Military Credit Transfer: Military training, courses, and specialty schools can transfer to college credits. This can result in saving veterans valuable time and money. Approximately 1,700 colleges and universities provide a military college credit transfer for military experience. To get started, request a copy of your military Joint Services Transcript.

CLEP: CLEP stands for the College-Level Examination Program. Students can earn three (or more, depending on the school) credits for each exam. There are over 30 introductory-level college subject exams:

• • Composition and Literature
  • World Languages
  • History and Social Sciences
  • Science and Mathematics
  • Business

DSST: DSST stands for DANTES Subject Standardized Tests. This is an opportunity for students to test for credit. There are six categories of exams you can take with DSST. They are in:

• • Business
  • Humanities
  • Math
  • Physical Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Technology

Determining the Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees

The following features are common practices among the Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees

• Accreditation: The Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees will be regionally accredited or, in some cases, depending on a student’s long-term goals, nationally accredited.
• GI Bill Acceptance: The Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees will accept the GI Bill and follow the Principles of Excellence. This program requires schools that get federal funding (through programs like the GI Bill) to follow specific guidelines, such as not participating in deceptive practices or aggressive recruiting. Even if a student is not utilizing their GI Bill, having these higher standards is beneficial, regardless.
• Additional Tuition Assistance: The Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees will participate in additional tuition assistance, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program (which can help pay for school costs not covered by the GI Bill) and private scholarships earmarked explicitly for military and veterans.
• Graduation Rates: The Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees will be transparent in their graduation rates. Typical graduation rates are around 50%. Even 30% is considered acceptable, but lower than that should raise doubts.
• Job Placement: The Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees will have an excellent network to help students succeed in their chosen careers after earning their degrees. Effective job placement can be found in programs such as internships, apprenticeships, strong alumni connections, veteran/student help centers, etc.

Top Colleges for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees

CollegeRecon partner schools may be included in the list as well for promotional consideration.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

East, West, and Online

With campuses in Florida and Arizona as well as a comprehensive Worldwide (online) campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a leading hub for aerospace and aviation training. Embry-Riddle is a fantastic choice for many students, including those seeking to earn certificates and enroll in associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. As a Top College for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees, Embry Riddle consistently ranks high in “Best of” lists, including:

• #10 in Regional Universities South (Daytona-US News)
• #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans (Daytona-US News)
• #35 in Best Value Schools (Daytona-US News)
• #2 in Regional Colleges West (Prescott-US News)
• #1 in Best Colleges for Veterans (Prescott-US News)
• #13 in Best Value Schools (Prescott-US News)
• #1 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (Worldwide-US News)
• #1 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (Worldwide-US News)
• #7 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs (Worldwide-US News)

Embry Riddle is a GI Bill-approved school participating in the Yellow Ribbon program. Embry-Riddle offers credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. Embry-Riddle also proudly offers credit for military experience.

Purdue University

Best Midwest College

With over one dozen aviation and aeronautical fields of study and over 130 graduate options for its students, Purdue University is a stellar option for students seeking a degree in the Midwest. Purdue also offers a Global (online) option with almost 200 fields of study. As a Top College for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees, Purdue consistently ranks high on “Best of” lists, including:

• #4 Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical Programs (US News)
• #1 Biological / Agricultural Programs (US News)
• #23 Best Colleges for Veterans (US News)
• #8 Most Innovative Schools (US News)
• #17 Top Public Schools (US News)
• #10 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (US News)

Purdue is a GI Bill-approved school participating in the Yellow Ribbon program. Purdue also offers credit for the CLEP exam.

University of Alaska Anchorage

An Extraordinary Experience

As a Top College for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees, the University of Alaska Anchorage is the state’s largest post-secondary institution. It is comprised of the Anchorage Campus, located in the heart of Alaska’s largest city, as well as Kenai Peninsula College, Matanuska-Susitna College, Kodiak College and Prince William Sound College, all located in some of the most beautiful places in Alaska.

With over a dozen aviation fields of study, the University of Alaska Anchorage scores high on “Best of” lists, including:

• #34 Top Public Schools (US News)
• #71 in Regional Universities West (US News)

The University of Alaska Anchorage is a GI Bill-approved school and offers credit for military experience.

Elizabeth City State University

Best Kept Secret

Education’s best-kept secret in aviation is also a Historically Black College and University and the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in the State of North Carolina. Elizabeth City State University is also one of the few HBCUs in the nation that offer aviation education programs. As a Top College for Aeronautics and Aviation Degrees, ECSU consistently ranks high on “Best of” lists, including:

• #4 in Top Public Schools (US News)
• #33 in Regional Colleges South (US News)
• #10 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (US News)
• #22 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (US News)

Elizabeth City State University is a GI Bill-approved school participating in the Yellow Ribbon program. ECSU also offers credit for both the DSST and the CLEP exams.

 

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