Compare A&P Mechanic Schools
Put FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance programs head to head. Compare tuition, FAA written exam pass rates, program length, GI Bill eligibility, BAH rates, and more — all in one side-by-side view.
How to use this tool
The comparison tool pulls data directly from each school's profile in our A&P school directory. There are two ways to compare schools:
- From a state page: visit any state school list (or pick from the homepage map), tick the compare checkbox on up to four schools, then click the floating “Compare” button.
- From a shared link: if someone sent you a
/compare?ids=…link, the schools load automatically — no selection needed.
What each column means
- Pass rates are the most recent FAA-published scores on the General, Airframe, and Powerplant written exams. A higher rate generally means stronger test prep and instruction.
- Tuition is pulled from the school's public catalog. In-state and out-of-state rates apply only to public community colleges; private schools charge one flat rate.
- GI Bill & BAH shows whether the program is VA-approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill funding and the monthly Basic Allowance for Housing for the school's ZIP code.
- Program length is the typical full-time completion time in months. Part-time, evening, and accelerated tracks may vary.
What to look for
A cheaper sticker price doesn't always mean a better value. Programs with higher pass rates often save you a retest fee and weeks of study time. If you're using the GI Bill, the tuition column matters less — BAH and program length drive your actual cost of living. For non-veterans, check whether the school participates in federal aid and ask about employer partnerships that cover tuition.
Also consider DOL-registered A&P apprenticeships as an alternative path — you earn a paycheck instead of paying tuition, and still qualify to sit for the FAA mechanic exams.
Frequently asked questions
How many schools can I compare at once?
Up to four. Comparing more than that on a phone screen becomes unreadable, so the checkbox caps at four selections.
Can I share my comparison?
Yes. Once you've built a comparison, copy the URL in your browser bar — the school IDs are encoded in the link, so anyone who opens it sees the same side-by-side view.
Where does the data come from?
Every Part 147 school on this site is sourced from the FAA's official school list, supplemented with tuition from each school's public catalog, VA approval status from the GI Bill Comparison Tool, and BAH rates from the Department of Defense.
What is an A&P certificate?
A&P stands for Airframe and Powerplant. It's the FAA mechanic certificate that authorizes you to inspect, maintain, and return aircraft to service. To earn it, you must pass three FAA exams (General, Airframe, and Powerplant) covering written, oral, and practical components.
How long does an A&P program take?
Full-time FAA Part 147 programs typically run 18 to 24 months. Part-time, evening, and accelerated tracks vary. DOL-registered apprenticeships usually run 24 to 48 months because you're earning wages while training on the job.
How much does A&P school cost?
Tuition ranges widely — public community college programs start around $6,000 to $15,000 total, while private trade schools run $25,000 to $45,000. Apprenticeships have no tuition because you're paid as an employee. The GI Bill covers tuition for VA-approved schools.
Does the GI Bill cover A&P school?
Yes, for VA-approved Part 147 programs. Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) covers tuition and fees up to the in-state public rate, plus a monthly housing allowance (BAH) and a books stipend. DOL-registered apprenticeships qualify for OJT benefits — a separate but related program.
What's the difference between Part 147 school and an apprenticeship?
A Part 147 school is a classroom-and-lab program where you pay tuition (or use the GI Bill) to learn the curriculum and hours needed to sit for the FAA exams. A DOL-registered apprenticeship is a paid job where the employer trains you over 2 to 4 years, after which you sit for the same FAA exams. Both lead to the same A&P certificate.
Does a higher pass rate mean a better school?
Generally yes — pass rate reflects the quality of test prep and instruction. But also weigh hands-on hours per student, FSDO testing relationships, employer placement rates, and whether the school's culture matches how you learn. A 95% pass rate at a school you hate is still worse than 88% at a school you'd thrive in.