Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus

Located in Salina, Kansas, Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus offers 14 different aviation programs, ranging from certificates to bachelor’s degrees and a new master’s degree program. This program trains students above the minimum requirements set forth by the FAA to ensure their students are well-rounded and ready for the industry. The K-State Salina Campus is an aerospace campus with a large school name. This gives students the opportunity to take advantage of a restricted airline transport pilot certificate at 1,000 hours instead of 1,500.

Program Highlights

The Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus is located directly on Salina Regional Airport (KSLN), so the classroom to cockpit is only steps away.

The university hosts more master certified aviation instructors than any other college or university in the country.

Programs K-State offers include:

• Associate of Science
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Professional Pilot
• Bachelor of Science
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Professional Aviation
  • Professional Pilot
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight and Operations
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design and Integrations
• Master of Science
  • Aeronautics
• Certificates
  • Aviation Electronics
  • Introduction to UAS Technology
  • Composite Repair
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Information Assurance
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design and Integration
• Minors
  • Aviation Safety
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The flight program can be completed in two or four years, depending on the end goal degree of the student. Minors can be taken by anyone, regardless of major.

The bachelor’s degree option in professional pilot is Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) accredited. The school is also part of Region 6 of the National intercollegiate Flying Association.

Value

Kansas State base tuition falls in the middle of the pack in terms of cost. Over the course of four years, in-state students will pay just over $40,000 and out-of-state students will pay just under $100,000. Some states can qualify for a reduced, out-of-state tuition, including:

● Arkansas
● California
● Colorado
● Indiana
● Michigan
● Minnesota
● Nebraska
● North Dakota
● Ohio
● Oklahoma
● Texas
● Wisconsin

Students from these states will pay a reduced out-of-state tuition of about $60,000. Base tuition does not include flight costs.

Flight costs to get a Kansas State student through multiengine will cost around $48,000. Additional certificates/ratings are available to those interested which include, CFI, CFII, MEI, etc.

More than 80 percent of K-State Salina students receive financial assistance.

The school also has some competitive scholarships available for students to apply for, including the:
● Vanier Family Presidential Scholarship
● Vanier Family Bluemont Scholarship
● Marian W. “Dolly” Hardman Endowment

Students can also apply for outside scholarships for aviation students.

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

K-State is proud to provide professional pilot students with multiple pathways from college to career. Some of their industry partners include:

● Mesa Airlines
● PSA Airlines
● Piedmont Airlines

The pathway programs provided by these airlines can set students on a path to gain job offers while still completing their ratings at Kansas State.

Fleet and Facilities

Kansas State is proud to offer newer model aircraft for flight training, including:

● Cessna 150s
● Cessna 172s
● Beech 33 Bonanzas
● Baron 58s
● Super Decathlons

Kansas State also has several simulators for students to take advantage of such as Redbird training devices and L3 training devices.

Campus Life

The campus, which houses the aviation department at Kansas State, offers many amenities for students. The student life center has a full-size basketball court, full-service gym, and a nine-hole disc golf course.

K-State Salina also has many clubs and organizations on campus students can join. Some include K-State Gamers Board, K-State Salina Powder Cats, and the Flying Wildcats.

Students can opt to live on campus to be within walking distance to class and the flight line. They can also buy a dining pass to dine at one of the many facilities on campus.

The Bottom Line

Kansas State Salina Campus is a technical campus with a large school name. This gives the school the ability to provide state-of-the-art facilities and instructors. With many different industry connections and an opportunity to utilize a restricted ATP certificate, students can find success in the industry even prior to graduation.