Elizabeth City State University

Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University offers a bachelor’s degree in aviation science with five different concentrations to choose from. The university is the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in the State of North Carolina to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation science.

Program Highlights

Elizabeth City State University is an FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school and flight operations are conducted at the Elizabeth City Regional Airport (KECG), only 1.5 miles from the main campus.

Programs Elizabeth City State University offers include:

• Bachelor of Science
  • Aviation Science
    • Avionics
    • Aviation Management
    • Flight Education
    • Professional Aeronautics/Air Traffic Control
    • Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The aviation science program also offers a missionary pilot training program in partnership with Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

Elizabeth City State University partners with United Airlines to provide students a direct path to airline careers through United’s AVIATE Pilot Career Development Program. Students can gain conditional job offers while still training.

The school is part of Region 10 of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

Value

Elizabeth City State University is one of the most affordable colleges with an aviation degree path. For in-state students, tuition will cost about $1,000 a year and out-of-state students will pay about $4,000 a year. This is base tuition and does not include flight expenses.

Flight costs at ECSU are also more affordable than most flight schools. Over the course of four years, and to get from zero hours all the way to CFI multiengine, students should look to pay about $43,000.

There are scholarships available to help students pay for the cost of their education, including the:

● U.S. Coast Guard CSPI Scholarship
● Americorps
● David and Dovetta Wilson Scholarship

The school also accepts veteran’s benefits such as the GI Bill.

Fleet and Facilities

Averett University has a fleet of Piper aircraft to train students, including:

● Cessna 172s
● Beech Duchesses
● Cirrus SR22s
● Cessna 414s
● Beech Sierras
● Autogyros (research aircraft)

The school also provides students with several simulators to continue their flight education on the ground, including:

● FRASCA Flight Simulators
● REDBIRD full-motion Flight Simulators
● Redbird X-Winds
● Desktop Flight Simulators

Graduates from Elizabeth City State University’s Part 141 flight training program are eligible for a restricted ATP.

Campus Life

Elizabeth City State University can offer students on-campus housing at one of five residence halls as well as four separate dining facilities.

Students can find like-minded students by participating in things like the student government, campus activities board, fraternity and sorority life, leadership development, new student orientation and more than 120 student organizations.

There are seven on-campus intramural sports students join, like basketball, flag football, and kickball.

Viking Fest is an annual tradition in which students and faculty show their school spirit with gatherings, music, and dancing.

The Bottom Line

Elizabeth City State University is one of the only HBCUs to host an aviation program in the U.S., and it’s the only four-year collegiate aviation program in North Carolina. The university can offer students an inclusive atmosphere with top-notch facilities and partnerships. It also has clubs, organizations, and Greek life. It may be the right choice for a prospective student set on attending an HBCU with industry connections.