Southern Utah University

Located in Cedar City, Utah, Southern Utah University offers four different Associate of Applied Science programs, two bachelor’s programs, and two certificates in aviation. The university offers two concentrations, rotor-wing or fixed-wing, for its programs. It also provides extensive funding for students and may be more wallet-friendly than other aviation programs.

Program Highlights

Southern Utah University students only have a five-minute drive from campus to Cedar City Regional Airport (KCDC), for flight training. The school has a small campus at the airport for flight students to study, plan flights, and attend preflight briefs.

Programs offered include:

• Associate of Applied Science
  • Aviation-Fixed-Wing Pilot Emphasis
  • Aviation-Rotor-Wing Pilot Emphasis
  • Aviation-Unmanned Aircraft Operator Emphasis
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician

• Bachelor of Science
  • Aerospace/Aviation Sciences-Fixed-Wing Emphasis
  • Aerospace/Aviation Sciences-Rotor-Wing Emphasis

• Certificates
  • Proficiency in Aviation-Commercial Pilot Rating (Fixed-Wing)
  • Proficiency in Aviation-Commercial Pilot Rating (Rotor-Wing)

The university is known for hiring its students to instruct, which normally happens their junior year. This allows them to build hours while finishing their bachelor’s degree.

Value

Southern Utah University has a base tuition rate of about $6,600 a year for in-state students and about $10,000 for out-of-state, which is pretty average for a state university.

Flight costs will vary depending on what aircraft is flown, but the university anticipates students to fly the Cirrus SR20. This will run students about $100,000 for the whole fixed-wing flight training program, from no hours to CFII. Rotor-wing students should plan to pay about 30 percent more—$130,000—for the entire program. The fixed-wing program can be completed in about seven semesters, while the rotor-wing course can be done in four.

Southern Utah is a partner with SkyWest Cadet program, allowing students the opportunity to gain conditional job offers from SkyWest prior to graduation. This program can also provide up to $10,000 tuition reimbursement.

Due to the high cost of flight training, the university accepts veteran’s benefits to cover costs and offers a long list of aviation scholarships, which include the:

• Joseph Frasca Excellence in Aviation Scholarship
• Eugene S Kropf scholarship
• CAE Entry Level Jet Scholarship

Fleet and Facilities

Southern Utah University has state-of-the-art facilities and research centers, as well as an up to date fleet of aircraft with glass cockpits.

The fleet of aircraft at Southern Utah includes:

• Cirrus SR20s
• Beechcraft Barons
• Robinson R22s

Students finishing the flight program can take advantage of the 500-hour ATP reduction.

Campus Life

Southern Utah offers students the chance to live on campus at one of four residential halls or off-campus in Cedar City. If students opt to live on-campus, they can take advantage of 17 common recreational, leisure and study spaces, many events and activities, and connections with other students.

The school hosts Division I athletics year-round. Campus offers some kind of event almost everyday, which can include flag football intramurals, career fairs, or faith gatherings.

The Bottom Line

Southern Utah University can offer a traditional college experience with athletics, Greek life, and on-campus housing, all while offering a full FAA Part 141 flight school with industry connections and ATP hour reduction benefits.