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Dayton is the home of powered aviation, and Wright State is dedicated to carrying on its namesakes’ spirit of innovation and excellence in flight. So if you’ve ever dreamed of a career in piloting, Wright State’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aviation Science and Technology is for you. This degree program will give you the education and real experience you need to become an aviation professional prepared to operate effectively within national and international airspace systems in the 21st century. You will be prepared to earn a commercial pilot license and even become a Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight instructor.
Piloting is a diverse field with in-demand career opportunities, and Wright State can help prepare you for them. An aviation science degree can also synergize well with studies in other science disciplines (including engineering), expanding your career options. Wright State's program is designed for students with or without previous flight experience, and you can begin flying as early as your first semester—sooner than in most university aviation programs.
Wright State is dedicated to the growth and economic health of the region through an empowered workforce, driven in part by partnerships with organizations like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Aviation science is a big part of improving the well-being of our community, and you can contribute through a degree in aviation science and technology.
You can enter a rewarding, in-demand career field by pursuing a degree in aviation science from Wright State. The aviation industry is experiencing a shortage of qualified pilots in the United States. There could be a shortage of as many as 130,000 pilots over the next two decades, opening the door to you for employment soon after graduation.
When you think of piloting, you may consider only airline or military flight roles, but our graduates can also pursue piloting careers in areas such as:
An airline pilot primarily flies on a schedule for groups—such as airlines—to transport passengers and cargo. A commercial pilot works in a more free-form flight environment, which can include charter flights, cargo transport, aerial tours, search-and-rescue operations, and more. There are also other types of pilots, such as agriculture or helicopter pilots.
As of May 2023, the median income for airline and commercial pilots in the top industries in which they worked was:*
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Gain the experience and flight ratings you need while pursuing an aviation science degree at Wright State. Accumulate real-world flight time and also train on state-of-the-art simulation equipment. Program activities will teach you about the day-to-day work of a pilot. Mock interviews help you better understand how to begin the career you have dreamed about.
You can also become a Certified Flight Instructor through Wright State’s program. You will acquire more flight hours toward your flight rating goals as you complete your degree work.
Your curriculum will include information about aviation topics such as flight systems, propulsion, and electronics. Apply the skills you acquire and the knowledge you gain as you begin your career as a professional pilot.
When you graduate from the Aviation Science and Technology B.S. program, you will be able to:
View Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Technology program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategies in the Academic Catalog.
Wright State University’s Aviation Science and Technology program accepts a limited number of students each year. Admission to the program is competitive and designed for students who demonstrate a commitment to the profession.
Apply to the university. Select the Aviation Science and Technology program on the admissions application. You can also apply on the Common App.
Learn more about the application process for new students.
Apply to the university. Select the Aviation Science and Technology program on the admissions application.
Learn more about the application process for transfer students.
Apply to the university. Select the Aviation Science and Technology program on the admissions application.
Learn more about the application process for returning students.
Once admitted to the university, you should complete all steps of the admitted student guidelines. You must complete the admitted student guidelines to be eligible to register for your first-semester classes. You are encouraged to complete these items several weeks before the start of the semester.
The following are requirements for admission into Wright State’s aviation program:
Visit our Aviation Program Financial Considerations page to learn about:
Flight training in the B.S. program is provided by First Flight Aviation, an FAR-141 FAA-approved (certificate #CWBS055D) flight school located at Wright Brothers Airport in Dayton, OH—22 miles from Wright State. Flight instructors are Wright State faculty.
Explore photos of First Flight Aviation facilities.
Finding the right college means finding the right fit. See all that the College of Health, Education, and Human Services has to offer by visiting campus.