Professional Pilot Cost

Professional Pilot costs listed are an average cost though the actual amount will vary due to individual circumstance. This amount is in addition to room, board, tuition, and other costs associated with earning a bachelor’s degree.

Although Southeast Missouri State University has a proven reputation for keeping tuition costs low while delivering the highest level of quality education, flight training is expensive. It is important that students planning to major in the Professional Pilot program understand that financial planning is vital to successfully completing this degree. 

Professional Pilot costs listed are both average and minimum cost, though the actual amount will vary due to individual circumstance, and could be higher than the costs shown. This amount is in addition to room, board, tuition, and other costs associated with earning a bachelor’s degree. 

Keep in mind that the projected employment growth for airline and commercial pilots is trending higher than all other occupations. According to the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 median annual pay for airline and commercial pilots was $130k+. In addition, Southeast has a generous scholarship program. Visit our scholarship page for more information.  

Keeping Costs Low 

To help keep the overall cost of training to a minimum, US Aviation recommends the following best student practices:  

  • Be on time (early) and fully prepared for the lesson 
  • Study every single day and always do your homework 
  • Chair fly to practice all callouts, flows, checklists and procedures 
  • Utilize Solo Slim 
  • Train at least three times per week and fly extra when you can 
  • If you miss a day, make it up as soon as possible 
  • Make as much progress as you can when the weather is good 
  • Practice teaching out loud for the CFI and CFII course 
  • Keep yourself healthy and rested 
  • Make your training your priority 

2023-2024 Estimated Direct Costs

item Domestic and Online
Tuition* $8,151
General Fees* $1,344
Textbook Rental ($35 per course + tax)** $365
Average Room Rate $7,200
Meal Plan (15-Classic with $140 in flex) $3,260
Estimated 2023-2024 Total Cost $20,320

*Assumes 30 credit hours per year
**Additional instruction material may be required

PROFESSIONAL PILOT Average Flight Training Costs

The flight training cost reflect the average time required for training. Actual cost for total training will be very individualized based on the time each student spends with their instructor and time practicing to be proficient in the aircraft and/or simulator. Fuel surcharges may apply. Your training can cost less or more than the average listed here.

Private Pilot Course (AV 111)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 55 $9,185
Flight Instruction 50 $3,750
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 30 $2,250
Total   $15,185

Instrument Rating Course (AV211)

Course SUbject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 40 $6,680
Solo PC Simulator 10 $0
Redbird Simulator 14 $630
Flight Instruction 54 $4,050
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 20 $2,250
Total   $13,610

Commercial Pilot Courses (Single Engine Initial) (AV311)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 53 $8,551
Flight Instruction 12 $900
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 8 $600
Sim 0  
Total   $10,351

Commercial Pilot Courses (Single Engine Initial Cont.) (AV312)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 57 $9,519
Flight Instruction 45 $3,375
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 30 $2,250
Sim 10 $750
Total   $15,894

Single Engine Initial + Multi Add-On (AV 313)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Multi Engine - PA34 17 $5,695
Flight Instruction 17 $1,275
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 20 $1,500
Total   $8,470

CFI Course (C172) (AV411)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 27 $4,509
Instruction 27 $2,025
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 35 $2,625
Total   $9,159

CFII Course (C172) (AV412)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 17 $2,839
Instruction 17 $1,275
Simulator 0 $90
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 12 $900
Total   $5,104

Turbine Training Sim

Course Subject Hours Cost
Advanced Sim 15 $3,750
Instruction 15  
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 5  
Total   $3,750

TOTAL AVERAGE REQUIRED TRAINING COST - $77,773

Some flight instruction course materials are available at no additional charge through the FAA.

MEI Course (PA34) (AV 441)  Optional

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 27 $9,045
Instruction 27 $2,025
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 17 $1,275
Total   $12,345

Other Estimated Expenses

Expense Cost
Written Exam Fees (PVT-CFII) $990
Headset $200
iPad (Recommended) $600
Total $1,790

A complete list of fees can be found on Student Financial Services' fee page. Fees are subject to change by the Board of Governors. These fees represent 2023-2024 fees as of June 2023. The tuituion and fees displayed above reflect costs for Cape Girardeau campus courses. Different fees apply to off-campus and online courses.

You can download a PDF of this cost information to print and use as a physical reference if needed.

PROFESSIONAL PILOT Required Flight Training Costs

The flight training cost reflect the minimum time required for training. Actual cost for total training will be very individualized based on the time each student spends with their instructor and time practicing to be proficient in the aircraft and/or simulator. Fuel surcharges may apply. Your training can cost less or more than the average listed here.

Private Pilot Course (AV 111)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 35 $5,845
Flight Instruction 35 $2,625
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 20 $1,500
Total   $9,970

Instrument Rating Course (AV211)

Course SUbject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 31 $5,177
Solo PC Simulator 10 $0
Redbird Simulator 14 $630
Flight Instruction 45 $3,375
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 15 $1,125
Total   $10,307

Commercial Pilot Courses (Single Engine Initial) (AV311)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 53 $8,551
Flight Instruction 12 $900
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 8 $600
Sim 0  
Total   $10,351

Commercial Pilot Courses (Single Engine Initial Cont.) (AV312)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 43 $7,181
Flight Instruction 43 $3,225
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 25 $1,875
Sim 24 $1,800
Total   $14,081

Single Engine Initial + Multi Add-On (AV 313)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Multi Engine - PA34 15 $5,025
Flight Instruction 15 $1,125
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 17 $1,275
Total   $7,425

CFI Course (AV411)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 25 $4,175
Instruction 25 $1,875
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 30 $2,250
Total   $8,630

CFII Course (AV412)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 15 $2,505
Instruction 16.75 $1,256
Simulator .75 $90
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 11 $825
Total   $4,841

Turbine Training Sim

Course Subject Hours Cost
Advanced Sim 15 $3,750
Instruction 15  
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 5  
Total   $3,750

TOTAL AVERAGE REQUIRED TRAINING COST - $65,605

Some flight instruction course materials are available at no additional charge through the FAA.

MEI Course (PA34) (AV 441)  Optional

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 25 $8,375
Instruction 25 $1,875
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 15 $1,125
Total   $11,375

Other Estimated Expenses

Expense Cost
Written Exam Fees (PVT-CFII) $990
Headset $200
iPad (Recommended) $600
Total $1,790

A complete list of fees can be found on Student Financial Services' fee page. Fees are subject to change by the Board of Governors. These fees represent 2023-2024 fees as of June 2023. The tuituion and fees displayed above reflect costs for Cape Girardeau campus courses. Different fees apply to off-campus and online courses.

You can download a PDF of this cost information to print and use as a physical reference if needed.

 

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