Program Overview
This program suits students who want hands-on training on a full-size regional jet and a tuition-reimbursement pathway through AAR EAGLE, in a two-year Aviation Maintenance Technology program in Rockford, Illinois.
At Chicago Rockford International Airport, Rock Valley College's Aviation Career Education Center trains students toward certificates in airframe or powerplant maintenance, or an Associate in Applied Science degree. The two-year program includes roughly eleven months of instruction each year and gives students hands-on access to a fully operational regional jet on campus.
This is a certificated Part 147 program, and the AAR EAGLE Career Pathway Program offers tuition reimbursement and job placement to eligible students. In-state tuition runs $6,795 for the program, and IPEDS reports a 37% graduation rate. Local aviation mechanic jobs number 580, with a location quotient of 4.78, and the nearest other certificated school is 64.6 miles away.
FAA AV-Info and School Pages
Program Facts
| Program Name | Aviation Maintenance Technology |
|---|---|
| Credentials |
|
| Ratings | Airframe and Powerplant |
| Program Length | Two-year program, with 11 months of instruction in each year |
| FAA Certificate Number | BS9T045R |
| Address | 6045 Cessna Drive, Rockford, IL 61109 |
FAA AV-Info (certificate, address) and the school's own pages (program details), retrieved September 22, 2026
Official School Pages
- Official program page rockvalleycollege.edu
- Official Rock Valley College website rockvalleycollege.edu
In the School's Words
Program Highlights
- One of the only aviation programs in the nation with a fully operational CRJ 200
- Housed at the Aviation Career Education Center at Chicago Rockford International Airport
- AAR EAGLE Career Pathway Program includes tuition reimbursement and job placement
As stated on rockvalleycollege.edu
U.S. Department of Education
IPEDS Data: Awards, Tuition and Graduation Rate
Federal IPEDS figures for Rock Valley College, a public institution. Aviation maintenance award levels: Associate's. Completions across these programs: 46 per year.
Annual Tuition
$6,795
Graduation Rate (Institution)
37%
Total Enrollment
5,978
Source: IPEDS
| Program | CIP Code | Award Level | Annual Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | 47.0607 | Associate's | 46 |
Tuition is the institution's published annual rate; the program's own published cost appears in the facts table when the school states one. See the record on College Navigator.
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location and Aircraft Mechanic Pay Near Rockford
Rock Valley College is at 6045 Cessna Drive, Rockford, IL 61109. Compare it with every aviation maintenance school in Illinois. For schools within commuting distance, see aviation maintenance schools near Rockford.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
Annual median wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), BLS OEWS May 2025. See the Illinois aircraft mechanic salary data.
By Straight-Line Distance
Nearby Aviation Maintenance Schools
The closest FAA-approved schools to Rock Valley College, by straight-line distance.
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL · 65 mi from Rockford
Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chicago
Chicago, IL · 76 mi from Rockford
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI · 78 mi from Rockford
Fox Valley Technical College
Oshkosh, WI · 126 mi from Rockford
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA · 138 mi from Rockford
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rock Valley College FAA Part 147 Certificated?
How Long Does the Program Take?
What Does the Program Cost?
What Credentials Does the Program Offer?
Where Does Training Take Place?
Sources
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school record for Rock Valley College
- Rock Valley College Aviation Maintenance Technology
- College Navigator: Rock Valley College
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
All sources retrieved .
How we compile school profiles, and what each source can and cannot tell you, is explained in our data methodology.