I could not find a place in this forum to post this, and since all of you have rela workplace experive, i am looking for your insight. I am looking for colleges, and have narrowed it down to University of North Dakota (UND), Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), and Embry Riddle (ERAU). I am a High School Junor with about 20 hours all in 172's. I will have my PPL before entry. I am looking to eventully be in a Legacy, National, or LCC. I am just looking for all of your insight and all your help is greatly appriciated.

Thanks!

Why not one of the military academies?

Save your money - if you want to be a pilot and can't get into a academy go to a local school have as much fun as you can and do your flight training at ALLATPS.

-LAFF

Consider a State school... they're a heck of a lot cheaper than ERAU (not sure about UND or FIT though).

But of those three, I hear UND has the better program.

I really do not want to go into the military, and I dont want to close any doors by not having a four year degree under me.

I have already looked up the idea of a state school, but in Florida, there are none that offer avaition. UF used to, but no loger does.

Whats wrong with the military? Even four years of honorable service will set you apart from your peers.

-LAFF

I have a freind currently in the military, and if they pay for a four year degree, he told me the latest is about 8 to 10 years to pay them back.

I'll start by saying that all 3 schools will leave you well prepared for where you want to go in the industry. I graduated from UND in 2000 and got hired at Horizon 3 months later. After about 6 years at Horizon, I was lucky enough to get picked up by Continental, so I may be somewhat biased in my opinion. I think UND has an excellent program, and I highly recommend it. Getting an education and flight training at any one of these schools is not cheap, but I think UND will come in close to being the least expensive. (If you can call $80,000 inexpensive) I think you're on the right track by pusuing a 4 year degree, it doesn't matter if you have a degree in basket weaving, it just proves you have an education on how to think for yourself and I feel it is a must to have a 4 year degree in anything. I have worked with students from both Embry-Riddle schools and from FIT as well, and I cannot say anything negative about either school. I'm pretty sure that Riddle will cost more but I do not know about FIT. It might just come down to where you want to go to school for 4 years. The weather in North Dakota is not as bad as you or many people may think. It has it's moments, but there are plenty of great flying days year round. I could go on for a while about the pros and cons of UND and other schools, but this is my 2 cents. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions, I'm more than happy to help. Good luck in your search!

I went to FIT where I studied aviation managment. It is expensive, unless you can get some scholarships, then any school is cheap if someone else is helping out. Where ever you decide to go, apply to any and all scholarships you think you might remotely be qualified to get. A large amount of money goes unawarded every year simply due to the lack of applicants. The internet is a good source to find them and every $1000 you can get adds up.

Your best option would be to get a degree in anything other than aviation. If you lose your medical, get furloughed, or for some other reason must leave the cockpit, you are going to want a non-aviation back up. This industry is fickle so you never know when that degree might be needed. It might be easier to just study aviation and learn to fly at the same time but a degree in engineering or accounting is an easier fall back and, heck, you might even need to make some extra money while earning only 20k as a first year FO. You could go to a local state school (in state tuition) and get your degree while flying at the local FBO and still probably save money over the tuition at FIT or ERAU or out of state tuition to UND.

Good luck in your decision.

BTW, If you go down to the "training forum" you will get some idea of the various schools and acadamies out there. It will also give you an idea of what to look for and ask of these schools.

I went to ERAU, it ended up costing more than $120 Grand for my ratings and degree. I strongly suggest you avoid the big name aviaiton schools like you just named and save yourself the money by getting a degree from a local state school and local FBO. You will be no less qualified by attending a state school and local FBO than me and my ERAU degree. Imagine making 20k/year and having a 900/mo loan payment. I'm a poverty pilot, livin' the dream...or something