OneFifty

Whatever school you decide on, I would highly recommend checking out NIFA. Great organization that will help you become a better aviator and meet some great people!

A.FLOOR

What about minoring in something like business along-side your aviation science degree? Would that make you more competitive, or perhaps act as a backup incase flying doesn't work out? Or is it worthless to minor?

PotatoChip

I wouldn't call it worthless. It's certainly better than nothing.
It may help you if you one day want to work in management.

But even better... Major in Business with a minor in Aviation related studies.

outaluckagain

What I am seeing here is some good discussion. A degree is certainly a must when you want to be a pilot. The good part is that you can finish a BS online, which means that you can continue flying.
When I finished my BS, I had to wait to appy at the regionals until I finished due to the class attendence requirements. With online you can take your PC on trips without having to go to class. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
A minor in business is a good idea as far as I am concerned. Aviation safety also comes to mind. Human factors seems to be emerging.
Try contacting all colleges with an aviation program. Do not allow yourself to be lured or pressured. Give the total cost a very close look paying special attention to fees.

dckozak

This is aimed mainly at the high schoolers lurking on here. Do the "real" college thing, don't sweat the flying, do it when you can, when you can afford it and do it right! If your older and trying to "catch up" I can understand the online degree option but otherwise enjoy your youth (see post about schooling in Arizona) party,(not too hard, no DUI, or arrests!!) , get good grades. The crappy job market will be waiting for you when you get out, its not going anywhere.

crewdawg

2! You have the rest of your life to work.

Flyboyxc91

Hey bud, I was just in your shoes three and a half years ago when I was graduating high school. I DID NOT go get an aviation degree because I always wanted to get a very solid education outside of aviation to fall back on... IMOP pilots DO NOT need an aviation degree to FLY an airplane.. they only need a degree in many cases today to get in a door. So do yourself a favor, knock out two birds with one stone by getting your degree and having it actually be marketable outside the cockpit because my two degrees certainly are and I was also a PPL etc which I basically flew more than enough already to not care about any FAA minimum 500hr breaks, thats not even very much time at all.. To each his own and I commend you for having the passion! See you in the air.

Av8r1656

I'm going to college for ATC in case pilot doesn't work out, something too fall back on.

cubbies4life

Biggest advice I can give is Don't go into debt. Choose your college based on cost first. Where your Aviation degree (as others have said... bad idea) is from won't matter. Being 100k in debt will.

I didn't get my bachelors degree right away. I finished my flight training, ran out of money, found work flying caravans saved money and am just now finishing my bachelors degree in Computer science online while flying a beechjet. I took only $5000 in student loans just to finish my last semester of flight training. I worked all throughout college and had a nice savings when I started. As others have said, go to college and enjoy it. I spent 3 years at a regular university that had flight training, had a ton of fun, met some good people, and it was the best time of my life.

I will be 29 when I finish my bachelors degree but I will have 0 debt. No car payment, no student loan payment, no credit card payment. This is what will make you successful in this career and life in general.

bgmann

Deleted.

Oops you were asking for education advice.