Mercer County Community College

Located in West Windsor, New Jersey, Mercer County Community College offers two aviation associate degree programs and two certificate programs. The Aviation Flight Technology program is the only accredited aviation degree program in New Jersey and the Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

Program Highlights

Mercer County Community College is an FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school and flight operations are conducted at the Trenton Mercer Airport (KTTN) in partnership with Infinity Flight Group, roughly a 20-minute drive from main campus. Trenton Mercer Airport is also home to several Fortune 50 corporate flight departments, as well as major airlines.

Programs offered include:

• Associate of Applied Science
  • Aviation Flight Technology
  • Airline Transport Pilot
• Certificate
  • Airline Transport PIlot
  • Certified Flight Instructor

Mercer County Community College works with Piedmont’s Airlines Cadet program to provide students with exposure to the industry and the opportunity to gain a conditional job offer while still in school.

Graduates of the Aviation Flight Technology Program are prepared to successfully transfer to a four-year school to finish a bachelor’s degree.

The school has transfer agreements with:

● Bucks County Community College
● Thomas Edison State College
● Metropolitan State College of Denver
● Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
● Florida Institute of Technology
● Central Missouri State University
● Southern Illinois University

Mercer County Community College’s two-year professional pilot program is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The school is a part of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s Region 7.

Value

Mercer County Community College’s tuition is much lower than most schools that offer aviation programs due to its community college status. Over the two years, in- and out-of-state students will pay around $10,000 for base tuition.

On top of base tuition, flight students will have additional costs for flight courses. Over the course of two years, to complete all flight certificates Mercer County Community College has to offer, students will need an additional $47,000, which is also much lower than average.

Students can apply for outside scholarships to help with the cost of tuition. Some outside scholarships available are:

● Quad City Engineering and Science Council Scholarship (QCESC)
● Regional Airline Association Scholarship
● Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship

In addition to scholarships, the school accepts veteran’s benefits.

Fleet and Facilities

Mercer County Community College has a traditional fleet of aircraft that includes:

● Cessna C172s
● Piper Seminoles

Graduates may be eligible for a restricted ATP.

The Bottom Line

Mercer County Community College can offer flight students the advantage of completing a Part 141 flight program in two years while still being eligible for a R-ATP. Transfer agreements allow bachelor’s degree seekers to transfer to a choice of seven different programs without losing their credits. Mercer County Community College may be perfect for a student looking to be in a metropolitan area, complete their degree in two years, and possibly gain a job offer while in school.