Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Fighter Pilot Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fighter pilot. Fighter pilots usually study aerospace engineering, business, or history. 86% of fighter pilots hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 101 real fighter pilot resumes to see exactly what fighter pilot education sections show.
The most common colleges for fighter pilots are the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.
There are also many online fighter pilot courses to help get the education required to be a fighter pilot.
What education do you need to become a fighter pilot?
What degree do you need to be a fighter pilot?
- Bachelor's, 86%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a fighter pilot?
Most common colleges for fighter pilots
Fighter Pilot Common College  | Percentages |
|---|---|
| United States Air Force Academy | 31.43% |
| Central Washington University | 5.71% |
| Norwich University | 5.71% |
| University of Phoenix | 5.71% |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach | 5.71% |
Best majors for fighter pilots
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aerospace Engineering | 14.9% |
| 2 | Business | 13.4% |
| 3 | History | 7.5% |
| 4 | Aviation | 7.5% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 7.5% |
Best colleges for fighter pilots
The best colleges for fighter pilots are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A fighter pilot with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fighter pilots. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fighter pilots.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-State Tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
20 best online courses for fighter pilots
Advertising Disclosure
1. Python for Command-and-control, Exfiltration and Impact
This course covers python for Command-and-control, Exfiltration and Impact...
2. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
3. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
4. Phantom & Mavic Flightschool - flight training & Go4 app
Master your flying skills & the DJI Go flight modes like Tapfly, Active Track, Waypoints, Point of interest & more!...
5. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
6. UAS/Drone Remote Pilot Test Prep for Part 107
Don't learn just enough to pass the exam (updated 2023)...
7. (Core) 4hr FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test Prep for Drone Pilots
Save time, skip fluff & learn the important stuff...
8. UAS/UAV (Drone) Remote Pilot Certification Test - Part 107
The comprehensive guide to passing the FAA Drone Pilot Knowledge Exam...
9. UAS FAR 107 FAA Drone Exam Preparation - INCLUDES NEW RULES
Prepare to pass the FAA knowledge test for UAS Remote Pilot Certification (RPC)...
10. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fighter pilots
The most affordable schools for fighter pilots are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for fighter pilots are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fighter pilots.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,306
Cost of Attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,309
Cost of Attendance
16,714
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,798
Cost of Attendance
18,306
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,749
Cost of Attendance
14,823
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,656
Cost of Attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fighter pilots
The hardest universities for fighter pilots to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for fighter pilots are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fighter pilots based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,492
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
19%
SAT Average
1,466
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
22%
SAT Average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fighter pilots
The easiest schools for fighter pilots to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, oregon institute of technology, and capitol technology university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fighter pilot without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fighter pilots.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions Rate
68%
SAT Average
964
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions Rate
96%
SAT Average
1,139
3. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
69%
SAT Average
1,070
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
994
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
86%
SAT Average
991
Average fighter pilot salary by education level
| Fighter Pilot education level | Fighter Pilot salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $105,836 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $103,056 |
Fighter Pilot Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common transportation questions.
Search for fighter pilot jobs
Loading...
Loading...
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025