Best Pilot Training Schools in USA 2025
Talk to Expert
The average salary of a pilot in the USA is around USD 186,500, and for commercial pilots, it is even higher. There are also those applicants who wish to study in USA at the best flying schools in USA but practice in their home countries. In this case, applicants must follow their country-specific directorate’s rules and complete their training in the US flying school. Let's check this article out for some of the best pilot training in the USA for Indian students.
Pilot Training in USA Highlights
| Professional Flying Schools in USA |
260+ |
| Flying Schools Certifications |
FAA: Student, Private & Commercial Pilots |
| Number of Pilots in USA (2024) |
156,634 |
| Courses Offered |
Private Pilot | Single / Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot | Flight Instructor |
| Duration |
7 - 9 months |
| Average Tuition Cost |
USD 40,000 - USD 80,000 |
| Number of Flying Hours Needed |
250 - 1500 hours |
| Median Salary of Pilot in US |
USD 219,140 |
| Flight School Growth Rate in USA |
5% growth expected between 2023 - 2033 |
| Top Recruiters |
Southwest Airlines | Spirit Airlines | Sun Country Airlines | U.S. Army | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
Why Study in Pilot Training Schools in USA?
Pilots are in most demand not just in the USA but across the globe. With the increasing flight operations and commercial airlines coming into play, more pilots are required. Let's check out other reasons why going for commercial pilot training is becoming an attractive option for international students in USA:
- Numerous flying schools in the USA accept international students and offer them the best on-field training. Also, they rank among the top 10 pilot institutes in the world.
- Recognised certifications across the globe and compliance with DGCA rules for Indian pilot aspirants if studying pilot training courses in USA.
- Professional and certified flying schools in USA extend applicants' flying experience based on their country-specific requirements.
- The average salary of a pilot in the USA is around USD 113,396 and above annually, hence a handsome amount to look forward to.
- After studying at any of the recognised best-flying schools in the USA, pilots can also join commercial airlines.
Boeing forecasts 763,000 new pilot jobs worldwide over the next 20 years. Hence, it is a good option to choose a flying school in USA to complete flight training certification as an Indian student.
6 Best Flight Schools in USA for Indian Students
Let's discuss some of the flight schools in USA for international students and how they can enrol for certain courses below:
1. University of North Dakota
International students can apply for a Bachelor’s in Science degree and opt for a Commercial Aviation course at the University of North Dakota. After graduation, applicants will get placement opportunities and fly with commercial or US military. This is one of the best flying schools in USA. Check out the details for commercial aviation below:
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
| Course Offered at UND |
|
| Tuition Fee |
USD 36,828 approx |
| Type of Course |
Full-time |
| Duration |
4 years |
| Eligibility |
17 years of age, had science subjects at high school, English proficiency test scores |
| Application Deadlines |
|
| Application Fees |
USD 35 |
| Opportunities |
|
After graduation in commercial aviation, many trained pilots joined commercial airlines like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, and others.
2. Paragon Flight School
One of the best flying schools in USA is Paragon Flight School, which offers international students pilot training programmes that are usually less than a year long. Certain certifications are also awarded and recognised worldwide for those who qualify for any of the programmes from this flying school in the USA. More details are as follows:
| Commercial Pilot Training Courses Available |
|
| Duration |
7 - 11 months |
| Certifications Offered |
|
| Basic Eligibility |
Pre-selection screening to check if the applicant fits in the commercial pilot standard requirements. |
| After Prescreening |
Program outline will be given out with cost and accept offer letter |
| Visa Requirements |
M-1 Visa |
Applicants who are already pilots and seek to upgrade their certifications can also apply to Paragon Flight School. Admissions will be based on previous knowledge and the number of hours completed. Thus, Paragon Flight School is also a renowned name in commercial pilot training in USA and applicants can consider applying here.
3. Epic Flight Academy
One major program, the Airline Pilot Programme, is offered at Epic Flight Academy for international students. Along with Daytona State College, applicants can take up an Associate Degree in Operations Management. Since it is a popular option among international students, it is one of the best flying schools in USA. Check out more details in the table below for courses and eligibility at Epic Flight Academy:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Duration |
2 - 3 months (may vary based on country) |
| Certifications Post Course Completion |
|
| Basic Eligibility |
17 years of age + high school diploma or equivalent + FAA medical certificate + valid passport + English language proficiency |
| Fees |
|
| Visa Requirements |
M-1 Visa |
Epic Flight Academy is one of the flying schools in USA which offers PICC time-building course. This is essential for applicants who wish to have more flying experience. An M-1 visa will be required for studying at this flight school.
Related reads:
4. Skymates Flight Academy
With more than 3,000 pilots trained in the past 26 years, Skymates Flight Academy is a professional flying school in USA. All courses are FAA-approved and are available for international students as well. Check out more details below:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Fees |
Starting from USD 53,000 |
| Class Size |
120 students |
| Instructors |
21 |
| Course Duration |
8 - 12 months |
| Basic Eligibility |
17 years + English proficiency + FAA medical certificate + valid passport |
| Accommodations |
Available |
| Training Across |
25 aircrafts |
International students can opt for accommodation while studying at Skymates Flight Academy. They will have to submit an application form based on the chosen course and pay the requisite tuition fee for the course. Interested in getting a PR in USA after studying check out How to Get US PR After Studying
5. Phoenix East Aviation (PEA)
Experiences to train student pilots since 1972, Phoenix East Aviation has seen 12,000+ pilots take up a career after their education. Around 30,000+ hours are completed annually for applicants pursuing a course in aviation from PEA, thus making it one of the best flying schools in USA. More details about courses, eligibility and fees are given below:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Duration |
Upto 429 hours |
| Basic Eligibility |
Pre-screening + interview and previous academics |
| Application Process |
Apply through the PEA website |
| Application Fee |
USD 50 |
| Visa Requirements |
F-1 visa required |
| Course Fee |
Based on the course of choice and |
Admission is based on applicants’ pre-screening when they submit the initial query form with their details. After they are shortlisted, the PEA immigrant gets in touch with the applicants, and further details are shared, like the number of hours that are required to be fulfilled and fees based on it.
6. Sunrise Aviation Flight School
Indian aspirants looking for an aviation school in USA can consider courses designed specifically for them at Sunrise Aviation Flight School. As per DGCA, Indian pilots must complete a course with 250 flying hours. Piper Seneca PA34 aircraft is a part of training at Sunrise Aviation Flight School and is also approved by DGCA, and so it also makes it to the list of best flying schools in USA. Let’s check out more details below for admissions at this flying school:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Course Duration |
7 months |
| Application Fee |
USD 500 |
| Basic Eligibility |
17 years of age, diploma, English language proficiency |
| Tuition Fees |
USD 42,000 (may vary) |
| Visa Requirements |
M-1 Visa Required |
Since Sunrise Aviation Flight School is an affiliate of CEFAT India, located in Bangalore, applicants can rest assured that their training will comply with DGCA. Hence, this is mainly for those who wish to study in the USA but wish to return to India.
Other Top Flying Schools in USA
A few more flying schools in the USA offer aviation courses for aspiring international pilots apart from the ones already mentioned above. Some of these are as follows:
- Purdue University
- Western Michigan University
- California Institute of Technology
- Aeroism Flight Academy
- Hallmark University
Plus, there are the best aviation professional pilot bachelors degree in Washington DC also. To name a few - Capitol Technology University, Central Washington University and others.
The Oklahoma State University acceptance rate is 71%, as per some unofficial sources. The moderate percentage shows that it is easy to get into the university. International students must showcase their positive profile by scoring excellently in academics and a minimum of 3 GPA on a scale of 4. Students need to demonstrate their English language proficiency by submitting the score of IELTS, TOEFL, and prove themselves by aiming for high standardized test scores.
The University of Rhode Island ranks among the best institutions in the country. Shiksha Popularity Rankings ranks the institute #102 as part of its the latest country-level rankings.
Further, an unofficial source ranks it #152 as part of its National Universities Rankings 2025, while another ranks it #1001 as part of its the latest World University Rankings.
The university's courses are also ranked very highly by Shiksha, with its BBA program ranking #159, while its MIM program ranks #160 among all higher education US based institutions.
The USD provides over 200 undergraduates and 80 master's programs in specializations such as Business Analytics, Business Administration, Accountancy, Computer Science, Mathematics, and more. The University of South Dakota tuition fees for international students range between INR 6L and INR 21L for graduates and around INR 10L for undergraduates. Students can check the table below for the tuition cost of the popular courses at the university:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MBA/PGDM (4 courses) | INR 10 L - 12 L |
MS (10 courses) | INR 9 L - 18 L |
BSN (1 course) | INR 11 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 10 L - 12 L |
BSc (30 courses) | INR 11 L |
BBA (14 courses) | INR 11 L |
BA (18 courses) | INR 11 L |
BE / BTech (4 courses) | INR 11 L |
MA (19 courses) | INR 10 L - 21 L |
PG Certificate (10 courses) | INR 7 L |
Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of the top choices among international students due to the university's world-class programs, an impressive return on investment, vibrant campus life, and more. As per the reviews posted by students on Shiksha, the university has obtained the following stars:
| Parameters | Stars (Shiksha Reviews) |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3.7 |
| Safety | 4.7 |
| Student Life | 4.2 |
| Quality of Faculty | 4.2 |
| Part-time Work | 4.2 |
| Permanent Immigration | 3.8 |
| Post-study Jobs | 3.7 |
| Value for Money | 3.7 |
| Internships | 3.3 |
| Indian Food | 3.2 |
| Public Transportation | 2.0 |
Concordia Wisconsin is known for its amazing surroundings, & close proximity to natural beauty.
Located near the Lake Michigan, CUW students are just a short distance away from scenic-lakes, farms, water parks & sports grounds that offer a welcome respite from the hectic student life.
Some top places for students to explore in Mequon include: Harley Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakefront Brewery, American Family Field & Basilica of St. Josaphat among others.
TAMU MSc in CS course is ranked at #26 among public institutions as per a top-ranking publisher in 2025. Furthermore, the university has highly ranked graduate courses that are offered through the College of Engineering, College of Education and Human Development, and Mays Business School. The popular majors at the university are Engineering; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, etc.
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Applicants can also consider the above-given US-based flying schools for admissions as international students.
Still, have more doubts? Please write to us in the comments below or sign up for Shiksha Study Abroad Counselling for free.
Best Flight Schools in USA FAQs
Q. Can I study aviation in the USA?
A. Yes, Indian applicants are eligible to take up aviation courses in USA. There are over 200+ institutions which offer kinds of courses in aviation. Applicants who wish to pursue an aviation course in USA will have to clear the admission processand apply for a student visa in order to study in USA.
Q. What is the cost of studying aviation courses in USA?
A. Based on the type of aviation course or certification in USA, the applicants will have to pay the following amount based on the duration of their courses:
| Type of Certification | Fee Annual | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot Certificate | USD 21,000 - USD 26,000 | 2-3 Months |
| Instrument Rating | USD 21,000 - USD 26,000 | 2-3 Months |
| Commercial Certificate | USD 25,000 - USD 27,000 | 2-3 Months |
| Certified Flight Instructor | USD 6,500 - USD 8,000 | 1-2 Months |
| Certified Flight Instructor Instrument | USD 5,000 - USD 8,000 | 1 Month |
| Multi-Engine Add On (with 25 hours of flight time) | USD 15,000 - USD 18,000 | 2-3 Weeks |
Q. Can Indian pilots get job in USA?
A. Yes, Indian pilots can work in USA if they are certified and qualified. They can work only with commercial airlines and not government based airlines. The applicants can apply in USA after completing their degree here or after qualifying from US institutions itself. While not a lot of US institutions can offer placements to its students after they graduate, the applicants can still look for a job for themselves.
Q. Is USA popular for its aviation courses?
A. Yes, USA is a popular destination to pursue aviation courses, reason being they are STEM-education courses. Those who qualify a STEM degree in USA, are eligible for OPT which gives them extension to stay back in USA and work. Check out STEM OPT Extension for more details.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Comments
(2)
A
2 months ago
E
a year ago
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.