Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
Tuition per year
$18,730
$31,556 with room and board
Peer median $18,730
Undergraduates
663
Student-faculty ratio 15:1
Peer median 21 : 1
Graduation rate
58.9%
Within 150% of normal time; 200%: 58.9%
Peer median 66.7%
“Peers” are all 44 private two-year technical schools in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).
About
The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) is a renowned institution dedicated to the fields of aviation and aeronautics. Founded in 1929, PIA has garnered a reputation for its hands-on training and commitment to excellence in aviation education. The institute's mission is to provide students with the technical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the aviation industry. With a focus on aviation maintenance technology, PIA offers programs that are both comprehensive and practical, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the workforce. The school's motto, "Excellence in Aviation Education," reflects its dedication to cultivating highly skilled professionals.
Located in the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PIA benefits from a rich industrial heritage and a strong connection to the aviation sector. The campus features modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including aircraft simulators and maintenance labs, providing students with an immersive learning experience. The faculty at PIA consists of experienced professionals from the aviation industry, bringing valuable insights and expertise to the classroom. This strong emphasis on practical training and industry relevance contributes to high graduate employment rates, with many alumni successfully securing positions in leading aviation companies. The supportive student environment encourages personal and professional growth, making Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics an ideal choice for aspiring aviation professionals.
Trends in Tuition, Student Retention, and Graduation Rates
The data from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics reveals significant trends in tuition fees, student retention, and graduation rates over the years. Starting with tuition, there has been a marked increase from $19,125 in 2014 to $17,725 in 2024 for in-state undergraduate students, with a peak of $21,589 in 2019. This trend is alarming, particularly in light of the rising costs of higher education across the United States, which has become a significant barrier for many potential students. The increase in tuition often leads to increased student debt, which can have long-term implications for graduates' financial stability.
On the other hand, the student retention rate has shown a fluctuating pattern, peaking at approximately 73.9% in 2019 and later dropping to around 59.5% in 2021, before rebounding to 74.7% in 2023. This fluctuation indicates an inconsistency in student satisfaction and support systems, which can be influenced by various factors such as academic rigor, campus resources, and overall student experience. A high retention rate is crucial as it suggests that students are finding value in their education and are likely to complete their degrees.
Graduation rates have also exhibited variability, with the timely graduation rate falling to around 52.6% in 2016 and recovering to 60.4% by 2023. This decline in graduation rates raises concerns about the effectiveness of educational programs and support services. Ensuring students graduate on time is essential for both their personal success and the institution's reputation.
Overall, the interplay between rising tuition, fluctuating retention, and graduation rates highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in providing affordable and effective education. Addressing these issues is vital for enhancing student outcomes and ensuring the long-term viability of programs.
This collegeRanked colleges nearby
- Setting
- Suburb of a large city
- Nearest major city
- Pittsburgh, about 7 mi
- Nearest international airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), about 20 mi
- Academic calendar
- Quarter
- Religious affiliation
- Not applicable
- President
- Suzanne Markle (President/CEO)
- Phone
- 4123462100
- City
- West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Address
- 5 Allegheny County Airport, West Mifflin, PA 15122
Degrees & Majors
Graduates in 2025 (first major)
U.S. studentsInternational
Data insights
Analysis of Graduate Data from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
The graduate data from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics reveals intriguing insights into the trends of degree completions in the fields of Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology and Avionics Maintenance Technology for the year 2023. Notably, both programs have no graduates at the bachelor, master, or doctorate levels, which indicates a potential gap in the educational pipeline for these advanced degrees.
Interestingly, there is a significant number of associate degree graduates, with 117 students completing their studies in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology and 33 in Avionics Maintenance Technology. This reflects a strong interest and participation in these technical programs. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that there are 4 international students receiving associate degrees in each program. This aspect highlights the growing appeal of technical education among international students, suggesting that American institutions like the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics can attract a diverse student body.
The absence of higher-level degree completions may suggest that students are opting for immediate entry into the workforce, perhaps driven by the current demand for skilled technicians in the aerospace sector. The aviation industry is experiencing a resurgence, with companies looking for qualified personnel to support their operations.
In conclusion, while the data shows a robust enrollment in associate degree programs, the lack of graduates in higher-level degrees could signal an opportunity for the institution to enhance its offerings or support services for students aiming to pursue further education. This could ultimately contribute to a more skilled workforce in the aerospace industry, meeting the increasing demand for advanced expertise.
All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard
*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician. | $65,841-$66,517 | |
| Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician. | $65,841-$66,517 |
Students
663 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 93:7 · Freshman retention 78.5%
- Continuing undergraduates 423
- First-year undergraduates 175
- Transfers and others 65
Undergraduate race and ethnicity (663)
Age distribution
Bachelor's
Data insights
Analysis of Student Demographics at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in 2023
The student demographic data from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics for the year 2023 presents interesting insights into the composition of its student body. Among the first-year undergraduate students, there are 190 individuals, with an impressive 93.7% being male and only 6.3% female. This significant gender disparity highlights a trend often seen in engineering and technical fields, where male students typically outnumber female students.
For the continuing undergraduate students, the numbers reflect a similar trend, with 328 students, of which 92.7% are male and 7.3% are female. This consistency suggests that the institution may need to explore strategies to attract more female students into their programs.
The transfer students' data, albeit small with only 23 individuals, also shows a predominance of male students at 91.3% compared to 8.7% female. The overall data indicates a persistent challenge in achieving gender balance within technical education sectors.
Moreover, when examining the racial and ethnic composition of the student body, it is crucial to analyze the representation of various groups. Unfortunately, detailed statistics about the racial breakdown of students are not completely available for continuing and transfer students. However, the first-year demographics indicate a majority of students identifying as White. This raises questions about diversity and inclusion efforts at the institution, as higher education institutions are increasingly called upon to reflect the diversity of society.
Overall, while the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics demonstrates a strong enrollment in its programs, there remains a pressing need for initiatives aimed at improving gender balance and enhancing diversity within its student population.
Analysis of Student Age Composition at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
The age distribution of students at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics reveals a predominantly young demographic, with the majority of undergraduates aged 18-19. This cohort comprises approximately 58% of the total male students and 64% of the total female students enrolled in undergraduate programs. Such a concentration in the youngest age group could reflect the institute's appeal to recent high school graduates who are eager to enter the aviation field.
Interestingly, there is a noticeable absence of graduate students in the data, as all graduate categories list zero enrollments. This raises questions about the institute's offerings for advanced studies or the potential barriers that may prevent students from pursuing further education after their undergraduate degrees.
The representation of students aged 22-24 and 25-29 is also minimal, with only 14% and 10% of total males, respectively. This suggests that the institute may not attract older students or those looking to make a career change later in life.
Moreover, the presence of students over 30 is quite low, with only 22 males in the 30-34 age bracket and a total absence of female students in this category. This trend might indicate that the aviation field is predominantly appealing to younger individuals who are starting their careers.
In conclusion, the data suggests that the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics primarily serves a young, predominantly male student body, with limited appeal to older students and graduates. This could have implications for the industry's future workforce and may warrant further investigation into the reasons behind the lack of graduate enrollment and older student participation.
International Students
International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 44 private two-year technical schools in the U.S.
3 in 2025 · 0.3% in 2016
Data insights
Analysis of International Student Trends at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
The data reveals intriguing trends regarding the presence of international students at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics over the years. Initially, in 2008, the proportion of international undergraduate students was quite low, with only 0.35% of the total undergraduate population being international. However, there was a significant increase in 2019, where the percentage surged to 10.42%, indicating a growing interest and enrollment of international students.
This spike in 2019 could be attributed to various factors, including the global rise in demand for aviation and aeronautics programs, improvements in the institute's reputation, or perhaps changes in visa regulations that favored international students. Nevertheless, this trend appears to have been short-lived, as the percentage of international students dropped significantly in the subsequent years, particularly in 2021 and 2022, where it fell to 3.53% and 3.12%, respectively.
This fluctuation might reflect broader challenges faced by educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting international travel and student enrollment. The decline in 2023 to just 1.11% raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of international student recruitment.
In conclusion, while the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics showed potential for attracting international students, the recent decline suggests that the institution may need to reassess its strategies to engage and support this demographic effectively, particularly in the wake of global challenges impacting higher education.
Cost
2025 cost per year
$31,556
- Undergraduate tuition
- $18,730
- Room and board
- $12,826
Peer median tuition + room and board $30,485 · all 44 private two-year technical schools in the U.S.
Tuition rose -8% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 68%.
Finances · fiscal year 2024
Revenue$13.7M
Expenses$13.0M
Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)
Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 44 private two-year technical schools in the U.S.
Campus Life
Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · EADA
No athlete data available for 2025.
No athlete data available for 2024.
No athlete data available for 2023.
Nearby & Safety
Ranked colleges nearby
-
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh · 6.5 mi
U.S. News #14
-
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh · 6.6 mi
U.S. News #59
-
Chatham UniversityPittsburgh · 6.7 mi
U.S. News #236
-
Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh · 6.8 mi
U.S. News #156
-
Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township · 19.0 mi
U.S. News #219
-
Washington and Jefferson CollegeWashington · 20.7 mi
Liberal Arts #91
-
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown · 49.5 mi
U.S. News #227
-
Allegheny CollegeMeadville · 90.4 mi
Liberal Arts #85
-
Kent State University at KentKent · 92.3 mi
U.S. News #236
Data insights
Here are some notable schools around the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics:
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Carnegie Mellon University - Ranked 24th in the 2024 US News rankings, Carnegie Mellon is a prestigious research university known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and the arts.
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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - With a rank of 67, this major public research university offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, making it a key educational institution in the region.
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Chatham University - Ranked 209th, Chatham is a private university that emphasizes sustainability and offers a variety of programs, particularly in health and environmental sciences.
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Duquesne University - This university is ranked 151st and is known for its strong emphasis on liberal arts and professional programs, providing a holistic education experience.
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Robert Morris University - Ranked 201st, Robert Morris is a private university that focuses on career-oriented programs, particularly in business and technology.
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West Virginia University - With a rank of 216, this public university offers a wide range of academic programs and is known for its research initiatives.
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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Ranked 60th, Penn State is one of the largest public universities in the United States, offering a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields.
These institutions are recognized for their academic excellence and provide numerous opportunities for students seeking higher education in various disciplines.
Peer median 0.0 · all 44 private two-year technical schools in the U.S.
Data insights
Analysis of Campus Crime Data at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
The crime data from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics over the years 2013 to 2023 is remarkably consistent, showing a complete absence of reported incidents. With an average crime rate of zero per 1,000 students throughout this period, the data suggests a very safe campus environment. This absence of crime can be attributed to several factors, including effective campus safety programs, strong community engagement, and possibly a smaller student population that may enhance the sense of security among students and staff alike.
Furthermore, considering the broader context of campus safety nationally, many institutions have reported increasing incidences of crime, particularly related to drug and alcohol offenses. The lack of such incidents at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics may serve as a model for other universities aiming to improve their campus safety measures.
However, it is essential to remain vigilant, as crime rates can fluctuate over time due to various societal factors. Continuous efforts in education, awareness, and community involvement are crucial to maintain this trend. This proactive approach not only reassures current students but can also attract prospective students and their families, knowing that they are choosing a safe environment for their education.
For those interested in understanding how crime rates are calculated, more information can be found here: Crime Rate Calculation.
References and Data Sources
Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.