Best Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Washington, DC (2026)

Among the aviation maintenance schools near Washington, DC, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.

• Top Pick Near Washington, DC

  University of the District of Columbia Community College

  Washington, District of Columbia · #1, score 50.7

  Highest overall score of the 5 ranked schools, 50.7 out of 100.

• Most Affordable Near Washington, DC

  Delaware Technical Community College

  Georgetown, Delaware · #2, score 42.2

  Lowest comparable program cost of the 2 ranked schools with one: $5,718, from IPEDS in-state tuition and the published length.

The ranked aviation maintenance schools within 100 miles of Washington, DC, ordered by score. Scores are national, out of 100, and the table after the cards shows the points behind them.

Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Washington, DC.

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

1. • Top Pick Near Washington, DC

   #1

   University of the District of Columbia Community College

   Washington, District of Columbia · 0 miles from Washington, DC · #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
2. • Most Affordable Near Washington, DC

   #2

   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

3. #3

   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

4. #4

   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)

5. #5

   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

BLS counts 1,440 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Washington, DC metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.52.

A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.

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