Costs aside: Purdue or ERAU?
 

Completely disregarding all fees, which one will give me better training, and faster route into a career as an airline pilot, Purdue or ERAU? I plan on getting all my pilot certificates and what-not, while having a double major in aeronautical engineering.

If anyone has attended these colleges for aviation, can you tell me about them? (For ERAU, I'd prefer to hear about the Arizona campus). And remember, I don't care about costs/fees right now.

Any and all information will/would be appreciated. Thanks!

Do you really want to double major?

Yes. I want a backup major in case the entire airline industry crashes (no pun intended). I am an excellent student and am not worried about the extra workload. I think I would be most interested in avionics engineering.

I don't think either one will give you a faster 'in' to a major, so that shouldn't be a part of your decision. I'd choose Purdue for a more rounded college experience. A good friend of mine went there and loved it. He's at FDX now.

So why not just major in engineering and get your licenses on the side?

I can tell you Purdue is a great school with a good rep in the aviation world. Ask me any question I will try to answer , I dont have any info on ERAU.

30west
89 grad

I'd prefer an integrated program, as it saves both time and money.

The integrated program doesn't save money, you'll pay MORE to get the ratings through the university and it certainly doesnt take less time, you'll do in 4 years what you would have done in two and a half.

Just a bit of reality, ERAU is a good school but will give you a stigma. Sorry to say, but its the truth. Some people will immediately size you up judge you based on where you got your degree, looks, age etc... but ERAU has a little bit of a stigma attached to it. Not saying its right or wrong or it should influence your decision, but in a lot of circles ERAU grads get a lot of crap.

In the end none of it matters, Both schools are good and both will get you your flight experience. Purdue will give you more options that are not Aviation related if that matters, and you'll get to fly in more IFR and challenging Wx conditions.

In ERAU you can do an accelerated program Bachelor's & Master's in five years. The Aerospace Engineering program is ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 aerospace engineering program at a non-Ph.D.-granting university. Riddle definitely has an excellent engineering program no doubt about that, but if you want to fly. I recommend flying off campus, add it as your minor which is easy to do, and youre set to go.


I attend the Daytona Campus (Class 08) So I cant help you there on the AZ side. But If you go to erau.edu then to communities AZ. All your question will be answered. As well for Purdue, they have communities boards for guidance.
Best of Luck