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 circumstances, 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.

Although the investment is great, 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 

2024-2025 Estimated Direct Costs

item Domestic and Online
Tuition* $8,559
General Fees* $1,344
Textbook Rental ($35 per course + tax)** $365
Average Room Rate $7,850
Meal Plan (Meal Plan 120 + $849 in Flex) $3,450
Estimated 2024-2025 Total Cost $21,568

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

PROFESSIONAL PILOT Average Flight Training Costs

These flight training costs reflect the average time required for training. The 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 $10,010
Flight Instruction 50 $4,100
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 30 $2,460
Total   $16,570

Instrument Rating Course (AV211)

Course SUbject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 40 $7,280
Redbird Simulator 14 $420
Flight Instruction 54 $4,428
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 20 $2,460
Total   $14,588

Commercial Pilot Courses (Single Engine Initial) (AV311)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 53 $9,646
Flight Instruction 12 $984
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 8 $656
Total   $11,286

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

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 57 $10,374
Flight Instruction 45 $3,690
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 30 $2,460
Sim 10 $300
Total   $16,824

Commercial Pilot Courses Cont. Multi Add-On (AV 313)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Multi-Engine - PA34 17 $6,205
Flight Instruction 17 $1,394
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 20 $1,640
Total   $9,239

CFI Course (C172) (AV411)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 27 $4,914
Instruction 27 $2,214
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 35 $2,870
Total   $9,998

CFII Course (C172) (AV412)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 17 $3,094
Instruction 17 $1,394
Simulator .75 $22.50
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 12 $984
Total   $5,472

TOTAL AVERAGE TRAINING COST - $83,977

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

MEI Course (PA44) (AV 441)  Optional

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 15 $6,675
Instruction 15 $1,230
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 17 $1,394
Total   $9,299

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 2024-2025 fees as of June 2024. The tuition 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

These flight training costs reflect the minimum time required for training. The 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 will likely cost more than the minimums listed here.

Private Pilot Course (AV 111)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 35 $6,370
Flight Instruction 35 $2,870
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 20 $1,640
Total   $10,880

Instrument Rating Course (AV211)

Course SUbject Hours Cost
Single Engine C172 31 $5,642
Redbird Simulator 14 $420
Flight Instruction 45 $3,690
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 15 $1,230
Total   $10,982

Commercial Pilot Courses (Single Engine Initial) (AV311)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 53 $9,646
Flight Instruction 12 $984
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 8 $656
Total   $11,286

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

Course Subject Hours Cost
Single Engine - C172 43 $7,826
Flight Instruction 43 $3,526
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 25 $2,050
Sim 24 $720
Total   $14,122

Commercial Pilot Courses Cont. Multi Add-On (AV 313)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Multi-Engine - PA34 15 $5,475
Flight Instruction 15 $1,230
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 17 $1,394
Total   $8,099

CFI Course (AV411)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 25 $4,550
Instruction 25 $2,050
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 30 $2,460
Total   $9,060

CFII Course (AV412)

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 15 $2,730
Instruction 16.75 $1,373.50
Simulator .75 $22.50
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 11 $902
Total   $5,028

TOTAL REQUIRED TRAINING COST - $69,457

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

MEI Course (PA44) (AV 441)  Optional

Course Subject Hours Cost
Flight Time 15 $6,675
Instruction 15 $1,230
Pre/Post Flight Instruction 17 $1,394
Total   $9,299

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 2024-2025 fees as of June 2024. The tuition 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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Mailing Address
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Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

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