Delaware State University

Located in Dover, Delaware, Delaware State University offers an aviation bachelor’s degree with two concentrations to choose from. The aviation program at DSU is rooted in business. This gives the aviation students a broad understanding of the industry with a business mindset. Delaware State operates the only full-service, university-based flight school in the mid-Atlantic area.

Program Highlights

Delaware State University is a FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school and flight operations are conducted at the Delaware Airpark (KDVX), a 10-minute drive from main campus. DSU recently received a brand new fleet of aircraft in 2021.

Programs Delaware State offers include:

• Bachelor of Science
  • Aviation
    • Professional Pilot
    • Aviation Management

Delaware State has a partnership with Piedmont Airlines to provide a well-defined path to an industry career. A total of 100 percent of DSU graduates have gone on to careers in the aviation industry.

The school is part of Region 7 of the National intercollegiate Flying Association Inc.

Value

Delaware State University’s tuition is competitive in both base tuition and flight fees. An in-state student at DSU will pay around $7,000 a year while an out-of-state student will pay about $17,000. Base tuition does not include flight fees.

Flight students will have additional costs for flight courses. Before financial aid or scholarships, flight costs will come in at about $50,000 for students looking to complete up to and including certified flight instructor (CFI). Students wanting to complete more ratings such as multiengine and multiengine instructor can expect to pay about $68,000, which is still much lower than some schools.

DSU offers scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students to help mitigate the cost of tuition and flight. The school also accepts outside scholarships, including:

● The Aviation Management Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship
● The Beech Aircraft Foundation Endowed Scholarship
● The DSU GAP Scholarship

They also accept veterans benefits, such as the GI Bill.

Delaware State University has internship agreements with Continental Airlines and DuPont Aviation that enable students to develop real-world experience and skills within the flight operations industry.

Fleet and Facilities

A brand new fleet of aircraft was delivered to Delaware State in early 2020. It includes:

● Vulcanair V1.0s
● Piper Seminoles

Delaware State University also houses several simulators for students to utilize, including:

● CR-12 Advanced Training Devices
● ATC-610/710 Training Devices

Campus Life

There are seven different residence halls DSU offers for on campus housing. Delaware State as well as eight different dining facilities.

University is a small to midsized school. Campus can offer students a variety of different clubs and organizations such as:

● Marketing Club
● CEO Club
● Flight Team

Students interested in the arts will have many different types of activities to get involved in like student media, musical groups, and drama clubs. Greek life is also abundant on campus, DSU hosts over a dozen Greek chapters.

The school also provides many opportunities for students to volunteer on or off campus in Dover.

The Bottom Line

Delaware State University would be a good fit for a student looking to attend a well-known aviation school with good values on the east coast. Delaware State operates the only full-service, university-based flight school in the mid-Atlantic area. With a new fleet of aircraft and high end simulators, DSU provides state of the art equipment and facilities.