Flight School Options in Minnesota

The Land of 10,000 Lakes offers flight schools that cater to various budgets, scheduling demands, and location preferences. While there are many good programs in Minnesota from which to choose, we highlighted seven for their variety of offerings to meet the different objectives of aspiring pilots. Let’s explore which option best suits your unique needs and gets you into the skies the fastest.

Best for: All-around Minnesota flight school

Minnesota State University-Mankato (MSU) is recognized as one of the top flight schools in Minnesota, offering a four-year degree in Aviation Science. Located approximately an hour and a half southwest of the Twin Cities, MSU provides one of the most technologically advanced fleets in the region. Students conduct flight operations at the Mankato Regional Airport (KMKT) NorthStar Aviation FBO, just 20 minutes from campus. MSU offers five pathway programs for prospective professional pilots and boasts a 100 percent placement rate for students who choose to stay and become flight instructors. Beyond the cockpit, MSU provides students with all the amenities of a four-year institution, including Division 1 sports.

Explore Minnesota State University-Mankato’s professional pilot certification program through FLYING’s Flight School Guide.

Best for: Affordable Minnesota flight school

For an affordable option featuring some of the most scenic flying in the country, consider Lake Superior College (LSC) as a flight training school. This two-year program is based at Duluth International Airport (KDLH), where students share the airfield with Cirrus Aviation and F-16s from Minnesota’s Air National Guard. With a lower enrollment rate than other colleges and universities, students benefit from personalized one-on-one training in the airplane as they soar along the northern shoreline of Lake Superior. LSC provides both helicopter and fixed-wing training and is VA friendly.

Explore Lake Superior College's professional pilot certification program through FLYING’s Flight School Guide.

Best for: Flexible Minnesota flight school

Academy College provides affordable and flexible flight training options through Thunderbird Aviation. Flight training occurs at Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) and Crystal Airport (KMIC), about a 25-minute drive from the main campus. With flights primarily occurring under the Class Bravo airspace of Minneapolis-St. Paul to picturesque practice areas over Lake Minnetonka or the Minnesota River Valley, aspiring pilots can swiftly enhance their piloting skills. Academy College and Thunderbird Aviation are among the oldest flying institutions in the upper Midwest, offering outstanding flight instruction to inspire and support the next generation of pilots.

Explore Academy College’s professional pilot certification program through FLYING’s Flight School Guide.

Best for: Accelerated Minnesota flight school

ATP Flight School is the largest flight training establishment in the U.S. ATP’s nationwide network of 81 training centers in 33 states allows for more efficient scheduling and instructor and examiner availability. The flight school’s Airline Career Pilot Program is one of the fastest professional pilot programs in the country, with a completion time of as little as nine months, depending on prior experience. ATP’s Minneapolis flight schools are in the Twin Cities area at Anoka County–Blaine Airport (KANE) and Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM).

Explore ATP Flight School’s professional pilot certification program through FLYING’s Flight School Guide.

Best for: Experienced Minnesota flight school

Inflight Pilot Training is an experienced flight school that equips aspiring pilots with the necessary education and certifications to fuel their passion for flying. With Minnesota’s most extensive training fleet and experienced flight instructors, students can achieve commercial pilot status in just six months. Inflight Pilot Training is a proudly certified Cirrus Training Center that offers flight training at Anoka County-Blaine Airport (KANE). Moreover, the flight school has partnered with Purdue University Global, allowing students to earn an online bachelor’s or associate degree while they complete their flight training at their local flight school.

Best for: Customer-focused Minnesota flight school

Twin Cities Flight Training takes pride in its customer-focused approach to flight instruction. The flight school engages with everyone who walks through its doors and works hard to deliver the best personalized service to each client. Twin Cities Flight Training also provides services such as airplane rentals and maintenance. The flight school operates out of Anoka County-Blaine Airport (KANE).

Best for: Diverse Minnesota flight school

Lake Elmo Aero has one of the most diverse training fleets and services in the Twin Cities region. This diverse selection of aircraft and simulators empowers students to take control of their training while managing costs effectively. Additionally, services such as aircraft rentals, maintenance, and FBO amenities enhance the offerings of the flight school. At Lake Elmo Aero, students can sit in the cockpit next to skilled instructors and fly over the St. Croix River as they work towards their flight training goals. Lake Elmo Aero is a proudly certified Cirrus Training Center that offers flight training at Lake Elmo Airport (KLVN).

Minnesota boasts over 40 flight schools, many situated in the Twin Cities and nearby areas. Several universities offer aviation programs, including Minnesota State University-Mankato, Lake Superior College, and Academy College.

While flight training at Minnesota flight schools is conducted in one-on-one settings, some locations deliver ground school curriculums in classrooms with an average of 15 to 20 students per instructor. However, with virtual classrooms growing in popularity, Minnesota’s number of students per class continues to fluctuate.

Many factors affect the cost of flight training in Minnesota. For example, obtaining a private pilot certificate at a dedicated flight school like Twin Cities Flight Training can cost around $19,000. A four-year aviation degree with all available licenses and ratings from an institution like Minnesota State University-Mankato can total approximately $210,000, assuming the student is a Minnesota resident.

Federal and private student loans are available for students enrolled in accredited aviation programs at universities or colleges such as Lake Superior College or Academy College. For those who choose to attend a dedicated flight school that is not affiliated with a university or college, like ATP Flight School, only private loans are available to cover the costs of flight school expenses.

Many Minnesota-based and national organizations offer scholarships to help students finance their flight training. While scholarships usually come with specific application requirements, they can significantly reduce the financial burden of attending flight school.

Many flight schools in Minnesota have formed partnerships with airlines to help aspiring pilots achieve the aviation careers they have been striving for. Several airlines even offer partial tuition reimbursement.

The flight school you choose can significantly affect the company you ultimately work for; that is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the top flight schools in Minnesota. Many of these schools offer programs designed to help their pilots advance their aviation careers and enable them to fly anywhere in the world. With a strong demand for pilots expected over the next decade, many flight schools are available to cater to your specific needs.

How much does it cost to get a pilot's license in Minnesota?

Many factors affect the cost of flight training in Minnesota. For example, obtaining a Private Pilot License at a dedicated flight school like Twin Cities Flight Training can cost around $19,000. A four-year aviation degree with all available licenses and ratings from an institution like Minnesota State University-Mankato can total approximately $210,000, assuming the student is a Minnesota resident.

Is it financially worth it to become a pilot?

Yes, it is financially worth it to become a pilot. Although the immediate cost of obtaining licenses and ratings can be costly, the long-term benefits of a pilot’s salary can help individuals promptly repay their flight training debt. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for airline and commercial pilots in 2023 was $171,210 per year.

How to become a pilot in Minnesota?

Becoming a pilot in Minnesota is like anywhere else in the country since flight schools are required to follow the same FAA regulations. The FAA website outlines the steps to becoming a pilot. Additionally, scheduling a discovery flight can be a fantastic way to explore the skies for the first time with a potential flight school.

Are any airlines paying for flight school?

Generally, airlines do not cover flight school costs upfront. However, several airlines partner with specific flight schools to offer tuition reimbursement programs that partially subsidize training expenses after students complete their education and meet specific employment requirements.

What is the average total cost of flight school?

The average cost of flight school varies depending on the type of institution. A specialized one- to two-year flight school may charge around $100,000 for all licenses and ratings, while a four-year university could cost as much as $250,000.

Where do most airline pilots go to college?

Most airline pilots attend accredited colleges and universities with specialized aviation programs. However, in recent years, many airlines have dropped their requirement for a college degree, allowing pilots to secure airline jobs by simply attending dedicated flight schools without needing a bachelor’s or associate degree.

How much does it cost to go to Twin Cities flight school?

The cost of attending flight school in the Twin Cities varies by institution. For instance, the Twin Cities Flight Training Professional Pilot Program costs around $75,000.