Western Colorado Community College

Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, Western Colorado Community College, a division of Colorado Mesa University, offers an associate of applied science program built for aspiring professional pilots. The college has been training pilots since shortly after World War II.

Program Highlights

Colorado Mesa University is an FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school and flight operations are conducted at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (KGJT), which is roughly 10 minutes from Western Colorado Community College.

Programs offered include:

• Associate of Applied Science
  • Aviation Technology

Value

In-state students can expect to pay a base tuition of $10,000, while an out-of-state student’s base tuition will hover around $24,000 a year. This is base tuition and does not include flight expenses.

On top of tuition, flight students will have additional costs for flight courses. Over the course of two years, to complete all flight certificates, students will need up to an additional $72,000.

Students can apply for scholarships to help with the cost, including:

• CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program
• Chuck Peacock Memorial Scholarship
• Civil Air Patrol Academic Scholarships

Eligible students at Western Colorado Community College are able to utilize VA benefits for the aviation program.

Western Colorado Community College has an industry partnership with SkyWest.

Fleet and Facilities

Clover Park Technical College has a pretty traditional fleet of aircraft that includes Cessna C172s

Western Colorado Community College does not offer multiengine training.

Graduates are eligible for the restricted ATP.

The Bottom Line

Western Colorado Community College offers a university degree in a smaller setting. Closer proximity to the airport, a solid industry connection, and low flight fees, make it a competitive choice for prospective aviators in the Northwest.