Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Technology

On this page:

• Why Choose Aviation Science and Technology?
• Careers
• Real-World Experience
• Academics and Curriculum
• Admission
• Financial Considerations
• Facilities, Simulators, and Learning Equipment
   

Why Choose Aviation Science and Technology?

Piloting is a diverse field with in-demand career opportunities, and Wright State can help prepare you for them. The program is designed for students with or without previous flight experience, putting you in the air as early as your first semester—sooner than in most university aviation programs. Also, an aviation science degree can synergize well with studies in other science disciplines, such as engineering, expanding your career options.

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.

About the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aviation Science and Technology

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 the program for you. It will give you the education and real experience you need to become a professional pilot—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.

Careers

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:

• Law enforcement
• Corporate or charter operations
• Cargo airlines
• Survey piloting
• Governmental contracting
• Flight instruction
• FAA inspection

Airline and Commercial Pilots

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*:

• Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers: $219,140
• Aircraft pilots and flight engineers: $171,210
• Commercial pilots: $113,080
• Air transportation workers: $97,320

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
 

Real-World Experience

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.
 

Academics and Curriculum

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:

• Demonstrate the skills to successfully adapt to regulatory policies, procedures, and evolving technologies in a dynamic, fast-paced operational environment. 
• Analyze and interpret data for problem solving in ground and flight operations.
• Identify modern-day challenges that affect the aviation industry. 
• Utilize modern technology to effectively manage professional flight operations.
• Demonstrate the skill sets necessary to begin a career as a professional pilot.

View Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Technology program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategies in the Academic Catalog.
 

Admission

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.

Information regarding admissions for Fall 2025 and beyond will be coming in early August.

Financial Considerations

Visit our Aviation Program Financial Considerations page to learn about:

• Program fees: medical, flight labs, exams
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
   

Facilities, Simulators, and Learning Equipment

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.