Aviation Maintenance Schools With Airline Partnerships in 2026: Aircraft Mechanic Schools Ranked

The Best Aviation Maintenance Schools With Airline Partnerships in 2026

The top aviation maintenance schools with airline partnerships are West Los Angeles College (57.0), Guilford Technical Community College (55.4), and Central Georgia Technical College (47.0). All three are FAA-approved (Part 147) aircraft mechanic schools.

West Los Angeles College names American Airlines and scores on about $2,292 in program tuition and 21 aviation maintenance awards a year. GTCC names Delta Air Lines.

Central Georgia Technical College names Delta TechOps and scores on a 47% graduation rate and 13 aviation maintenance awards a year.

A school is on this list when its own pages name an airline, or an airline's maintenance operation, as a partner: a pathway program, apprenticeship, training partnership, or equipment agreement. A list of employers that have hired graduates, or a logo wall of internship hosts, does not count.

Each card shows the national score out of 100, the factor bars behind it, and the partnership in the school's own words, linked to its page.

Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)

1. #1

   West Los Angeles College

   Culver City, California · #36 nationally

   57.0 of 100

   This fits Los Angeles-area students who want a public college program offering airframe, powerplant, and avionics paths, including a bachelor's option.

   Type

   Community College

   Credentials

   Bachelor's Degree (Avionics); Associate Degree; plus 2 more

   Length

   twenty-three-month continuing program

   GI Bill

   Approved

   Schedule

   Morning, afternoon, or evening sections
   • American Airlines: The college announced the partnership in January 2024. Thanks to a new partnership with American Airlines, these students now have direct access to the airline's Los Angeles-based aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) through ongoing engagement opportunities and guaranteed interviews for top-performing students.

2. #2

   Guilford Technical Community College

   Greensboro, North Carolina · #45 nationally

   55.4 of 100

   This program fits someone who wants full-time day or evening training toward both Airframe and Powerplant ratings in a hangar tied to named industry partners.

   Type

   Community College

   Credentials

   Associate in Applied Science; Diploma; plus 3 more

   Length

   6 semesters (2 years) for full A&P licensing

   Cost

   $9,850, total program (tuition, books, fees, tools)

   GI Bill

   Approved

   Schedule

   day (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) or evening (4 p.m.-9 p.m.)

   Starts

   Fall and Spring entry
   • Delta Air Lines: GTCC has a partnership with Delta Airlines to provide additional training and job opportunities with them along with their regional carriers under contract.

3. #3

   Central Georgia Technical College

   Macon, Georgia · #88 nationally

   47.0 of 100

   This program fits Middle Georgia students who want an associate degree in aviation maintenance with direct employer ties to Delta TechOps and Robins Air Force Base.

   Type

   Community College

   Credentials

   Degree, Diploma, and Technical Certificates (Aviation Maintenance Technician; Aviation Maintenance Technician - Airframe; plus 1 more
   • Delta TechOps: Through the Delta TechOps partnership, CGTC's Aviation Maintenance Technology students will receive: Industry training from a major international air carrier; Access to serviceable parts, engines, and airframes; Tours of the Delta TechOps facilities; Career guidance and job shadow opportunities

4. #4

   Middle Georgia State University

   Eastman, Georgia · #184 nationally

   33.6 of 100

   This program fits students near Eastman who want a public university ladder from certificate to bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance and avionics, with an IPEDS graduation rate of 25% and in-state tuition well below the out-of-state rate.

   Type

   University

   Credentials

   Certificate options, Associate of Applied Science degree, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Management

   Length

   Aviation Maintenance Technology is a five semester program
   • Delta TechOps: Students enrolled in MGA's Aviation Maintenance Technology can expect to benefit from the partnership in the following ways: Enhanced computer based industry training. Delta technical training supplements. Aircraft parts and equipment. Visits from Delta TechOps personnel. Mock interviews given by Delta representatives. Scheduled tours of Delta TechOps.

5. #5

   Saint Francis University

   Johnstown, Pennsylvania · #185 nationally

   32.5 of 100

   This program suits students who want hands-on training on a SkyWest-donated regional jet and pathway access to SkyWest's pilot and mechanic programs, in a five-semester certificate at Johnstown Airport in Pennsylvania.

   Type

   University

   Credentials

   Certificate (General, Airframe, and Powerplant)

   Length

   less than 21 months (5 semesters), full-time

   Cost

   $55,415, total program, 5 semesters (2026-27 rates)

   GI Bill

   Approved
   • SkyWest Airlines: The partnership allows SFU students to access SkyWest's Pilot Pathway Program and the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Pathway Program. These programs allow students access to various benefits while completing their training, including mentoring by experienced pilots and mechanics, enhanced company seniority, and a guaranteed job interview.

6. #6

   Minneapolis College

   Minneapolis, Minnesota · #197 nationally

   31.1 of 100

   This program fits students near Minneapolis-St. Paul who want a public two-year path to combined airframe and powerplant ratings, training inside Delta Air Lines' own maintenance facility on a capped 25-student annual cohort.

   Type

   Community College

   Credentials

   A.A.S. Degree (83 credits); Diploma (68 credits)

   Length

   6 continuous semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer cycle)

   Cost

   $254.95, per credit

   Starts

   one cohort of 25 new students per year, Fall semester
   • Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air: Minneapolis College began a public-private partnership with Delta Air Lines/Endeavor Air in 2013, when it received a grant award from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to relocate its program to facilities at Delta.

7. #7

   Honolulu Community College

   Honolulu, Hawaii · #202 nationally

   27.8 of 100

   This program fits students in Hawaii who want the only Aeronautics Maintenance Technology program in the Pacific Basin, a public associate degree covering airframe and powerplant ratings.

   Type

   Community College
   • Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Air Cargo: apprenticeships are available with Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Air Cargo if you have been in the AERO program for a minimum of 6 months or have military experience

Aviation maintenance schools with airline partnerships are ordered by the national score: outcomes 30, cost 25, program depth 20, access 15, scale 10. The partnership itself adds no points, so schools with similar partners rank by outcomes, cost, and the rest.

The full rules are on our ranking methodology page.