Best institutions to study Flight Instructor
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the training of pilots or navigators, to prepare them to fly and/or navigate commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue aircraft, and fixed or rotary wing aircraft.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 36 Flight Instructor students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0108, a specialization of Air Transportation (CIP 49.01), and leads most directly to the Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 53-2011).
About Flight Instructor programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the training of pilots or navigators, to prepare them to fly and/or navigate commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue aircraft, and fixed or rotary wing aircraft. Includes instruction in principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications and navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. Programs may qualify individuals to administer the FAA commercial air crew examinations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Flight Instructor program, part of the Air Transportation field, prepares individuals to train pilots and navigators for various types of aircraft, including commercial and cargo planes. This program is ideal for those looking to enter the aviation industry and contribute to the development of skilled pilots through comprehensive training and instruction.
Students in this program gain technical knowledge and skills in areas such as aircraft design and performance, flight systems, navigation procedures, and safety regulations. Core coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, essential for successful flight instruction.
Credentials awarded
What Flight Instructor graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree18 graduates / yr · 1 institution50%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12 graduates / yr · 1 institution33%
- Bachelor's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions14%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.8%
Graduates over time
Flight Instructor completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 21 |
| 2013 | 41 |
| 2014 | 35 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2016 | 48 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 49 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2021 | 37 |
| 2022 | 77 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 36 |
Top 5 institutions for Flight Instructor, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge City Community College Dodge City, KSPublicAssociate's | 18 | 35% | — | — |
| 2 | Madisonville Community College Madisonville, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 49% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, MEPublicBachelor's | 4 | 27% | — | — |
| 4 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 1 | 37% | — | — |
| 5 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor's | 1 | 60% | — | $46,193 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Air Transportation field (CIP 49.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Flight Instructor graduates come from. Each state links to all Air Transportation programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 1 | 18 | Dodge City Community College18 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 12 | Madisonville Community College12 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 4 | University of Maine at Augusta4 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 1 | Henderson State University1 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 1 | University of North Dakota1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 53-2011, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Flight Instructor program can pursue careers as airline pilots, copilots, and commercial pilots. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 3.9% and approximately 11,700 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $226,600, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0108
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineersprimary SOC 53-2011 | $232,140 | +3.9% About as fast as average | ~11,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Commercial Pilots SOC 53-2012 | $123,220 | +5.1% Faster than average | ~6,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Flight Instructor programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
- Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
- Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
- Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
- Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Tools and technology used
Other Air Transportation specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Air Transportation (CIP 49.01).
- Aeronautics/CIP 49.0101
Aviation/ Aerospace Science and Technology 6,507 graduates / yr89 institutions - Airline/CIP 49.0102
Commercial/ Professional Pilot and Flight Crew 2,557 graduates / yr105 institutions - Aviation/CIP 49.0104
Airway Management and Operations 2,098 graduates / yr72 institutions - Air Traffic ControllerCIP 49.0105232 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Air TransportationCIP 49.0199218 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Remote Aircraft PilotCIP 49.0109177 graduates / yr26 institutions
- Airline Flight AttendantCIP 49.0106partial data70 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What is the duration of the Flight Instructor program?+
The program can vary in length, with options for an associate's degree, shorter awards of at least 12 weeks, or a bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, and communication skills, along with knowledge in transportation and safety regulations.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as an airline pilot, copilot, or commercial pilot after completing the program.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.9% and around 11,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Flight Instructor?+
Flight Instructor is CIP 49.0108 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Air Transportation (CIP 49.01). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the training of pilots or navigators, to prepare them to fly and/or navigate commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue aircraft, and fixed or rotary wing aircraft. Includes instruction in principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications and navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. Programs may qualify individuals to administer the FAA commercial air crew examinations.
How many institutions offer Flight Instructor programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Flight Instructor graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 36 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Air Transportation graduates.
How much do Flight Instructor graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers occupation, which Flight Instructor most directly leads to, pays a median of $232,140 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Air Transportation field report median earnings of $46,193 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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