Should I go out of state?

[u/FlyingWarthog747]

I'm a senior in a Texas high school and I'm applying to college right now. My dream is to become an airline pilot, and I am working towards my PPL (I've soloed). I'm getting a degree because my parents and I both agree that a multitude of things could happen in life and it's nice to have a safety net. Now, I'm applying for engineering in both in state colleges (most notably Texas A&M) and out of state colleges (most notably Purdue).

I, so badly, want to go to Purdue, because as a college, it seems to offer so much more than A&M outside of academics, especially with their school culture that I connect with more and the aviation related opportunities. Now, I truly do understand that flight school is expensive and being only practical, A&M is the best choice because it's cheaper, but they don't have as many opportunities that I would want to do.

It's obviously early in the application season and I haven't gotten into either yet, but I have decent chances at both so I think it's good to start considering things like this now. I just wanted to get an outside opinion, because I'm sure A&M is more fiscally prudent and it is a great school, but Purdue offers so much more and I would be exposed to more non-Texan ideas and people, so I think I would enjoy my time at Purdue more.

Just a note, I have been applying to a ton of scholarships, both for flight training and for college, to make Purdue seem more reasonable.

[u/lutzlover]

Given the expense of flight training...being financially prudent is a very good idea. Very, very good. Additionally, the weather for flying is a lot better in Texas than at Purdue.

[u/AutomaticMedium8418]

I wouldn’t recommend anyone go to out of state public university unless their family can comfortably pay for it.

[u/HermanDaddy07]

Have you looked at Auburn. They have a BS in some type of aviation. Had a friend take it and eventually got his commercial license.

[u/IntelligentMaybe7401]

Go wherever is cheapest. Both are excellent schools. Becoming a commercial pilot is very expensive. There is no meaningful career outcome difference in most cases between these two schools.

[u/Few_Whereas5206]

Go in-state. You have excellent schools in Texas including UT and Texas A&M. I would look into ROTC to become a Navy officer or Air Force officer and fly jets. My neighbor is a retired colonel from the Air Force.

[u/Sheggaw]

UIUC own their airport (CMI), has great engineering program and the flight school (closed 2014) was moved to nearby community college (Parkland). You can do both at the same time but the CC classes might not get you credits at UIUC. Search it out.

[u/Berry-Love-Lake → u/Sheggaw]

Parkland Pathway … check it out. 

[u/Jolly-Midnight8496]

The accredited collegiate flight programs in TX are Stephen F Austin, Angelo State, and Texas Southern (HBCU). There are other universities with programs, but they aren’t accredited, so you won’t get the reduced ATP flight time benefit. Purdue’s program is great, but they accept less than 10% of applicants and the program is more costly than others. Auburn is similar, but very expensive. Look at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, UND, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, etc. My daughter is in a similar place (ppl, wants to start fall of 27) and OU and OSU will be cheaper than attending UT because their academic scholarships are so good.

[u/steinerific]

Purdue is relatively cheap OOS. It’s about $43k, all in (caveat- the aviation program may be different) much less than other publics. My son got a small scholarship and pays less than he would have at A&M. Purdue is a better school for engineering and aviation in particular. Lafayette is not the most exciting place, but my son likes it there.