Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Schools in Washington, DC
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Washington, DC
1
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Ranked in This State
1
Methodology 2.1
Top Score in the State
50.7
UDC-CC
Washington, DC runs a single FAA Part 147 aircraft maintenance school, and it isn't tracked in the federal IPEDS database, even though the program itself awards an Associate in Applied Science.
University of the District of Columbia Community College teaches that associate degree, plus a separate Certificate of Completion, at its Lamond-Riggs Campus. Graduates go on to work at Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport, and many earn their A&P, the FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, within six months of finishing.
Aircraft mechanics in the Washington, DC metro earn a median of $93,910 a year, above the $79,870 national median for the occupation.
Washington, DC Ranking
Top-Ranked Aircraft Mechanic Schools in Washington, DC
The ranked school in Washington, DC, with the facts behind its score. Each card shows the school's verified facts and the points it earned on each factor. Scores are national, out of 100, so a school scores the same here as on the national ranking.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
#1
University of the District of Columbia Community College
Washington, District of Columbia #67 nationally
50.7 of 100
This fits students who want a public two-year AAS combining airframe and powerplant training with quick certification results near two DC-area airports.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- AAS; Certificate of Completion for Aircraft Mechanic's Certification
- Length
- four semesters (approximately two years) for the certificate program
- Starts
- Admission deadlines: Fall May 15, Spring October 15, Summer April 15
Across the State Line
Top-Ranked Schools Near Washington, DC
4 FAA-approved schools in neighboring states within 100 miles of Washington, DC, ranked by score.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Washington, DC
- Most Affordable Near Washington, DC
#1
Delaware Technical Community College
Georgetown, Delaware 88 miles from Washington, DC #121 nationally
42.2 of 100
Delaware Technical Community College fits Delaware residents who want the state's only FAA-certificated Part 147 program, training toward both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings over five semesters.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate Degree (AAS)
- Length
- 5 semesters
- GI Bill
- Approved
-
#2
Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas
Manassas, Virginia 28 miles from Washington, DC #128 nationally
41.7 of 100
Veterans and students near Washington, D.C. who want a Veterans Lounge on campus, GI Bill eligibility, and hands-on time on single and multi-engine aircraft, fit well at the Manassas campus.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Certificate
- Length
- 21 months
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- day and evening classes
-
#3
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Hagerstown Campus
Hagerstown, Maryland 68 miles from Washington, DC #138 nationally
40.8 of 100
This program fits someone who wants a diploma-track aviation maintenance program at a chain school with a specialized shop setup, located along Hagerstown Regional Airport in western Maryland.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Diploma/Certificate
- Length
- 16 months, diploma/certificate (4 semesters, 65 credits for students starting after July 1, 2026)
- Cost
- $31,200, total program for students starting after July 1, 2026 (4 semesters, 65 credits)
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- Fall 2026 (Sept. 1); Spring 2027 (Jan. 5)
-
#4
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Salisbury, Maryland 90 miles from Washington, DC #195 nationally
31.7 of 100
This fits students who want an FAA-certificated program built through an airline industry partnership, training on-airport rather than at UMES's main campus.
- Type
- University
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware Tech | 42.2 | 1.1 | 19.6 | 14 | 5 | 2.5 |
| 2 | AIM Manassas | 41.7 | † | † | 0 | 10 | † |
| 3 | PIA Hagerstown | 40.8 | † | 3.6 | 8 | 10 | † |
| 4 | UMES | 31.7 | † | † | 0 | 0 | † |
By Metro Area
Aviation Maintenance School Rankings by Washington, DC Metro Area
Each metro ranking scores every school within commuting range and adds the local airports, employers, and BLS pay for aircraft mechanics.
| Metro Ranking | Schools Within 100 mi | Top-Ranked School | Median Pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation maintenance schools near Washington, DC | 5 | UDC-CC | $93,910 |
Local Context
Training 0.4 Miles From the Heart of Washington
University of the District of Columbia Community College sits just 0.4 miles from the center of the Washington, DC metro. Its graduates don't have to leave the city to reach the region's two major airports.
Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport both draw graduates from the program, and many students pass their mechanic exam within six months of completing coursework at the Lamond-Riggs Campus.
A Faster Path to Aircraft Mechanic Licensure
Instructors bring years of professional experience to the classroom, and many students earn their aircraft mechanic license within six months of finishing the program at the Lamond-Riggs Campus.
Methodology
How We Rank Aviation Maintenance Schools in Washington, DC
Every open FAA-approved college-level school gets one national score out of 100: Outcomes 30 (IPEDS graduation rate), Cost 25 (comparable whole-program price), Program Depth 20, Access 15, and Scale 10 (IPEDS awards a year). This page orders the schools in Washington, DC by that score, so the ranks here match the national list of 204 ranked schools.
The full rules, including how a missing figure is scored at the peer median, are on our ranking methodology page.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in Washington, DC
The FAA issues the mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, known as the A&P, under federal rules in 14 CFR Part 65, so the path is the same in every state. You qualify by graduating from an FAA-approved school or by documenting at least 30 months of hands-on work for both ratings, then passing three FAA knowledge tests and an oral and practical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many FAA Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Schools Are in Washington, DC?
Where Do University of the District of Columbia Community College Graduates Work?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in the Washington, DC Metro Compare to the National Median?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in Washington, DC?
Is the Aircraft Mechanic License a State or Federal Credential?
What Credentials Does the Aviation Maintenance School in Washington, DC Award?
Sources
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
- IPEDS via Hapi, CIP 47.0607-47.0609 (all levels) + 49.0104 (bachelor's/master's)
- eCFR 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D (Mechanics)
- FAA - Become an Aviation Mechanic
- FAA - Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
All sources retrieved .
How we source and check each listing is explained on our data methodology page.