Specialty Rankings

High School Aviation Maintenance Programs of 2026: FAA-Approved Pathways for High School Students, Ranked

These FAA-approved programs let high school students start aircraft mechanic training: career and technical centers run by school districts, and college programs that enroll high school students.

Taylor Rupe, Founder & Editor

Edited by , Founder & Editor

Last updated

Two teenage students in safety glasses working with an instructor on a training aircraft's propeller hub

The Best High School Aviation Maintenance Programs in 2026

The top high school aviation maintenance programs are Western Maricopa Education Center (65.7), Pima Community College (57.1), and Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development (54.3). Each is an FAA-approved (Part 147) aircraft mechanic school or program that high school students can join.

Western Maricopa Education Center earns points for both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings, GI Bill approval, an evening or hybrid schedule, and posted start dates. Pima Community College earns points for both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings, an associate degree option, and an avionics option.

The Rule

Which Programs Count as High School Pathways

Two kinds of high school aviation maintenance programs qualify. Career and technical centers are FAA-approved schools run by a school district, charter network, or high school campus. College programs qualify when the college's own pages say high school students can enroll in the aviation maintenance program itself.

High School Pathways Ranked

25

FAA list and school websites

Career and Technical Centers

20

FAA Part 147 list

Both Ratings Stated

18

School websites

States

13

Ranked list

Ranked Cards

The 25 High School Aviation Maintenance Programs, Ranked

Each card shows the pathway score out of 100, the options the program states, and why it counts as a high school pathway.

  2. #2

    Pima Community College

    Tucson, Arizona College

    57.1of 100

    Options
    Both Ratings, Associate, Avionics
    High School Students
    Aircraft General Mechanics certificate, 2 years, part-time evening instruction. The courses in this program are for high school students enrolled through Pima JTED pima.edu

  4. #4

    Rock Valley College

    Rockford, Illinois College

    54.3of 100

    Options
    Both Ratings, Associate, GI Bill
    High School Students
    Applicants must be high school graduates, GED earners, or high school students in good standing per program requirements. rockvalleycollege.edu

  5. #5

    Cuesta College

    San Luis Obispo, California College

    51.4of 100

    Options
    Both Ratings, Flexible Schedule, Start Dates
    High School Students
    The aviation maintenance program has its own high school section. AVMT High School cuesta.edu

  6. #6

    Snead State Community College

    Albertville, Alabama College

    40.0of 100

    Options
    Both Ratings, Associate
    High School Students
    This program allows high school students in the Birmingham metro area to begin working toward their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant certification while earning college credit. snead.edu

Methodology

How the Pathway Score Works

Career and technical centers are left out of our national score, so high school aviation maintenance programs are ranked on the two stated factors only: program depth and access. The points earned out of 35 are scaled to 100.

Pathway Score Components
FactorStated OptionPoints
Program DepthAirframe and Powerplant Ratings8
Program DepthAssociate Degree Option6
Program DepthAvionics Option6
AccessGI Bill Approval5
AccessEvening, Weekend, or Hybrid Schedule5
AccessPublished Start Dates5
Same components and points as the national score, methodology 2.1.

The full rules are on our ranking methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best High School Aviation Maintenance Programs?
On our pathway score, the top three high school aviation maintenance programs are Western Maricopa Education Center (65.7), Pima Community College (57.1), and Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development (54.3). The score counts only the credential and access options each program states, out of 35 points scaled to 100.

Can a High School Student Earn the FAA Mechanic Certificate?
Not before 18. The FAA requires applicants for the mechanic certificate to be at least 18 years old. A high school student can start FAA-approved training early and apply at 18; the FAA accepts a completion document from an approved school as proof of the training.

Do Most Aircraft Mechanic Schools Require a High School Diploma?
Yes. The FAA notes that most approved schools require a high school diploma or a passed GED exam before a student enrolls. The 20 career and technical centers on this list are the exception: they are FAA-approved schools run by school districts and high school campuses.

Where Are the High School Aviation Maintenance Programs?
The programs on this list are in 13 states. 5 are college programs that say high school students can enroll; the rest are career and technical centers.
Best Aviation Maintenance SchoolsEvery open FAA-approved college-level school, scored on outcomes, cost, program depth, access, and scale.Most Affordable Aviation Maintenance SchoolsFAA-approved programs ranked by comparable whole-program cost, cheapest first.Aviation Maintenance Bachelor's DegreesBachelor's programs in aviation maintenance and maintenance management from IPEDS records.Best Military-Friendly Aviation Maintenance SchoolsSchools that state GI Bill approval, ranked on the national score plus the military benefits each names.Best Avionics SchoolsAircraft mechanic schools with a stated avionics certificate, track, or option, ranked.Best Helicopter Mechanic SchoolsSchools that state helicopter or rotorcraft training in the program, ranked.Accelerated Aviation Maintenance ProgramsPrograms that publish a length of 18 months or less for both ratings, ranked.Evening Aviation Maintenance ProgramsPrograms with evening, weekend, part-time, or hybrid schedules, ranked.Best Community College Aviation Maintenance ProgramsPublic two-year colleges with FAA-approved programs, ranked on the national score.Best Aviation Maintenance Associate DegreesFAA-approved schools that offer an associate degree in aviation maintenance, ranked.Aviation Maintenance Schools With Airline PartnershipsSchools that name an airline or maintenance partner program, ranked.

Sources

All sources retrieved .

Every figure on this page comes from a published source listed above. Our data methodology explains how the school list, distances, pay data, and rankings are built.

After High School

Compare Aircraft Mechanic Schools for Graduates

The national ranking scores every open college-level school.

Best Aviation Maintenance Schools