TheGreatChecko

I think you made a good decision. Nothing against Riddle, but it really didn't seem like the right place for you. Plenty of other programs out there, each with their pros and cons. Here's a list of all the accredited institutions in the country, yes some are better than others (under Educator Members).

http://www.caaaccreditation.org/members.html

Though I loved the school I went to, I do wish I had found that website during my college search days, might made things easier. Some even might offer aviation minors, which might be an awesome way to get a good backup degree and still fly.

If you can believe it, that's not even a complete list. I know of a few programs that aren't on there (for example, Metro State College in Denver), so check with the local colleges around your home, you'll probably find a couple that offer courses in aviation and have a partnership with an FBO or two.

Checko

TheGreatChecko

Just want to point out that plenty of the medium sized on up private schools do offer the same thing. Obviously they may be more expensive, however, but you might qualify for scholarships.

I went to a "non-state" university and have most if not all of the same memories.

Checko

Bri85

$20k the first semester! ouch, my first semester tuition wasnt that much my freshman year back 04. I have simpathy for the new students here since the rates have gone up and Im locked up on the 2004 catalog. The rest of the guys here have given you pretty good advice, All I suggest is to sit down and map out a gamepan on what you are interested, where you want to go, the back up plan, and where you can get the most financial aid and still be at respectable school.

hotshot

Thanks for that list, there are a few schools on that list that I didn't know about.

Kind of a funny story, I was in McKay hall at Riddle, which has two rooms of three students joined by a lounge in the back, we refer to both connected rooms as a suite. Out of me and the other 5 freshman in our suite, four have already left .

Planespotta

Purdue is a really great place. You can major in aviation tech and minor (or double major) in something else, ranging from poli-sci to english, a foreign language, or take advantage of their outstanding engineering school. It's the best of both worlds!

wrxsteve

spartan is usually around 55k

hotshot

Is that per year, semester, or the cost of all 4 years?

TXTECHKA

any aviation college or pilot factory will be much more expensive than an fbo

The Juice

You are already 20K in debt with not much to show for it. Going to another big name 141 would put you in so much debt you may not be able to recover. You may want to check out some local FBO's.

Scooter2525

UVSC (now UVU) is a good option (IMHO). I went there for flight training and the numbers your talking about could probably get you to CFI for the flight instruction. They have a great online program that cost around 2K a semister and that allows you to use your priv, inst, comm, etc towards credits. They fly DA-20's DA-40's (glass) and a couple of arrows. I'm not sure what it is for cost of rental now, but I was paying 72 for DA-20's two years ago. The training area is in a D airport close to SLC so you can get plenty of ATC experience. I'm sure other programs have there + and - compared to UVU, but in general I enjoyed my time there.