Ohio State University

Located in Columbus, Ohio, The Ohio State University offers three bachelor’s degree options, as well as a couple of minors rooted in aviation. The flight program is based on an engineering background. OSU prepares students to not only become professional well-rounded pilots, but also have the ability to design, manage and operate aviation systems.

Program Highlights

The Ohio State University flight program flies out of Ohio State University Airport (KOSU), located about 10 minutes from the main campus.

Programs Ohio State offers include:

• Bachelor of Science
  • Aviation
  • Aviation Management
• Bachelor of Arts
  • Air Transportation
• Minors
  • Aircraft Dispatch
  • Aviation

OSU has been granted permission by the FAA to certify graduates for restricted airline transport pilot minimums.

Its flight program is Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) accredited and the school is part of Region 3 of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

Value

For in-state students, the cost to attend Ohio State is average. Base tuition for a full-time in-state student with room and board will be about $20,000. An out-of-state student will pay about $45,000 a year. This is base tuition and does not include flight costs.

Flight costs will run higher than average, as well. Students can expect to pay between $80,000-$110,000 to complete flight training up to CFI.

Students can apply for outside aviation scholarships, including:
● The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program
● The Women in Aerospace Foundation Scholarship
● The Unitil Scholarship Fund

Veterans can use benefits like the GI Bill to help pay for school.

Ohio State provides professional pilot students with multiple opportunities for a pathway from college to career through industry partnerships, including ones with:

● Envoy 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.

Fleet and Facilities

Each semester, more than 300 students participate in labs or coursework at the university airport, using its fleet of 20 aircraft and flight simulators, as well as the school’s air traffic control tower, weather station and communications, and navigation systems.

The training fleet accumulates more than 7,000 hours of flight time each year. It includes:

● Cessna 172s
● Piper Arrows
● Piper Seminoles

Ohio State also has several simulators for students to take advantage of such as the Frasca Trueflight Flight Training Device and the Redbird FMX Simulator.

The Ohio State University Airport Flight Education serves as a PSI FAA Testing Services site.

Campus life

Ohio State offers many different residence halls and dining facilities to make campus feel like home. Each residence hall has community living facilities and residence aids.

With more than 1,400 student organizations, Ohio State provides a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved. A few include:
● Young Life
● The Agribusiness Club
● Art Club

OSU also has a large Greek presence on campus and houses more than 60 different Greek chapters.

Ohio State also hosts many on-campus services to get students ready for their future, including resume editing, career fairs, and volunteer opportunities.

It is part of the NCAA’s Big Ten Conference and is often nationally ranked in many other sports.

The Bottom Line

Ohio State University is a large school with many traditional experiences and facilities. The aviation department does not disappoint with a university-owned airport, late model aircraft, and an experienced faculty. Students who attend OSU will be connected with industry partners and be one step closer to having a successful career.