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Aviation Program Financial Considerations
On this page:
Medical and Fees
You are required to obtain a Class 1 Medical Certificate* through an approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to undergo flight training. As such, certain medical conditions may be disqualify you. Class 1 exams cost anywhere from $125 to $200, depending on doctor and location.
- FAA Guide—How to Find an Aviation Medical Examiner
*The Class 1 Medical Certificate remains valid for a period corresponding to holder age:
- Under 40—12 months
- 40+—6 months
After expiration, the certificate must be renewed to remain valid.
Tuition
Wright State's tuition is among the lowest in the state, and with our Wright Guarantee program, your tuition rate (including housing and meal plans if you live on campus) remains locked in for four years—applies to new incoming, in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students.
| Rates | Ohio Resident (Commuting) | Ohio Resident (Living on Campus) | Non-Ohio Resident1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition (11–18 hours)2 | $5,736 | $5,736 | $10,586 |
| Undergraduate Tuition (1–10.5 hours) | $516/hour | $516/hour | $963/hour |
| Campus Housing (Woods Double)3 | N/A | $2,657 | $2,657 |
| Meals (Gold Campus Dining)4 | N/A | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Activity/Communications/Hospitality Fees | N/A | $463 | $463 |
| Books and supplies5 | $700 | $700 | $700 |
| Total for one semester | $6,436 | $11,556 | $16,406 |
| Total for two semesters (fall and spring) | $12,872 | $23,112 | $32,812 |
1Non-Ohio resident portion of tuition ($4,850 or $447/hour) is not guaranteed.
2Per hour rates will be applied to each billable credit hour in excess of 18. Courses dropped after the 100% refund period are not deducted from the billable hours.
3Cost reflects double occupancy for a Woods room. Learn more about the cost of Dayton Campus housing.
4Default meal plan for residential dormitory students. Learn more about the cost of meal plans.
5Estimate only—not guaranteed
Costs do not include course or program fees
Visit our tuition, housing, and meal plan costs page to learn more about living fees at Wright State.
Flight Fees
|
Course Number |
Course Title |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
AVI 2002 |
Private Pilot Flight Lab |
$7,042.00 (DTL CD: 2153 – Flight Time Nonrefundable) |
|
AVI 2004 |
Private Pilot Flight Lab 2 |
$9,238.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 2102 |
Instrument Rating Flight Lab |
$12,192.50 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 2202 |
Commercial Pilot Flight Lab 1 |
$14,675.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 2302 |
Commercial Pilot Flight Lab 2 |
$14,675.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 3002 |
Certified Flight Instructor Flight Lab |
$9,855.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 3502 |
Instrument Instructor Flight Lab |
$5,640.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 3702 |
Multi-Engine Commercial Flight Lab |
$9,855.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 4002 |
Multi-Engine Instructor Flight Lab |
$15,215.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 4502 |
Professional Airline Pilot Flight Lab |
$7,305.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
AVI 2003 |
Flight Proficiency Lab (Optional*) |
$3,120.00 (DTL CD: 2163 – Flight Lab Fees) |
|
TOTAL |
|
$108,812.50* |
*Adjust for optional lab cost.
Written Exams
In most cases, you are required to pass a knowledge exam to earn your pilot licenses and/or ratings. The tests must be scheduled by appointment and are administered at FAA testing centers. Test fees range from $125 to $175 depending on test type and location.
Practical Exams
The final step toward getting each of your licenses is to pass a practical test administered by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). These individuals are independent and set their own rates, with most practical tests costing between $650 and $950. However, flight instructors pay a higher price that goes from $800 to more than a thousand dollars.
WARNING: if you do not pass the practical test, you will be charged a retesting fee by the DPE. This fee is usually 50% of the original costs.
NOTE: Aircraft rental during the exam is also at the student’s expense. The check-ride usually takes between 1½–2 hours. Make sure to include this additional expense in your budget.
Special Equipment Costs
- Personal Headset: $300 to $1,600, depending on brand and features
- Books and Reference Materials: Most FAA publications can be downloaded for free. Alternatively, FAA books and other paper materials can be purchased for around $200 per semester.
- iPad mini 5 with Foreflight Subscription: Can be $1,000+; Foreflight subscription can be purchased through First Flight for a reduced $200.
- Extras: Apparel, gear, accessories
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Pursuing an aviation career can offer many exciting opportunities, but first, you need to know the additional costs associated with the program and create a plan for how you will finance your education.
1
File your FAFSA at studentaid.gov to be considered for federal, state, and institutional need-based aid.
2
Complete outstanding financial aid requirements and review and accept your financial aid offer in WINGS. For more information visit What You Need To Know.
3
Do the math and determine your estimated cost.
The cost of a degree in aviation is higher because of the fees associated with flight training. Estimate your annual expenses and subtract your offered financial aid to determine if the aviation program is a good financial fit.
4
You are offered financial aid based on a standard cost of attendance. Complete a Cost of Attendance Adjustment form for the flight fees associated with your program if you need additional funding. In most cases, this will allow you or your parent to borrow additional loan funds to assist with these expenses. For more information on the Cost of Attendance Adjustment process, visit the Cost of Attendance Adjustment page.
5
Once the Cost of Attendance Adjustment is complete, apply for additional financial assistance.
Types of Loans
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students is a federal loan that credit-worthy parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow for their child's educational expenses. The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a form of aid that must be repaid by the parent borrower. For more information, please visit the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan page.
Alternative (Private) Student Loan
A private student loan is a loan from a private organization, such as a bank or credit union, to help pay for college-level education. When applying for a private student loan, it's important to research lenders, understand the application process, and be aware of loan disbursement and repayment options. Terms and rates can vary greatly among lenders, so it's important to carefully consider all options and shop around. For more information, please visit the Alternative (Private) Student Loan section.
Want to compare Federal Parent loans and Private loans? Visit the Federal Student Aid Loan FAQ to learn about the differences in loan programs.
6
Review your student account statement each semester to ensure that you can pay your bill in full by the due date. If you who have not paid your bill in full or do not have financial aid in place that will cover your balance, you may not be permitted to fly.
For more information on billing dates, please visit the Billing Due Dates page.
Aviation Scholarships
You can find aviation-specific scholarship opportunities from a variety of organizations to help with flight expenses. Please check eligibility and deadlines carefully when researching scholarships.
Remember:
- Be sure of eligibility before applying for a scholarship.
- Review forms and submitted materials carefully to avoid mistakes that can delay your application.
- Stand out by including information like background, service, and achievements that make you unique.
- Request letters of recommendation early; your referrer likely won’t be able to craft a polished message for you on short notice.
- Follow deadlines and allow plenty of time for mailing. Items must be in university hands on or before the due date.
Aviation Scholarship Opportunities
- Wright State Financial Aid
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)—Industry and Regional
- EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Open—October 31–November 1
- Career One Stop—Search by keyword “aviation”
- Ninety-Nines
- National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Scholarships
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Scholarships
- Soaring Society of America
- AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program (membership required)
