Updated October 1, 2026. Verified against each school’s published program, cost and schedule information, ACCSC disclosures and FAA pass-rate data.
The Chicago area has two FAA-certificated A&P mechanic schools: Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in McKinley Park and Lewis University in Romeoville. City Colleges of Chicago’s Olive-Harvey College offers a lower-cost associate degree whose Airframe and Powerplant courses are taught at AIM. Harper College in Palatine is waiting on FAA approval, and Rock Valley College in Rockford is about 90 minutes away.
Key Takeaways
- Soonest start: AIM Chicago’s next class starts November 2, 2026, day or evening.
- Lowest cost: City Colleges’ 80-credit AAS costs about $18,572 for Chicago residents. Rock Valley is about $12,856 for its district residents.
- Fastest: Lewis University’s certificate takes 15 months with summer terms.
- Highest pass rate: Lewis University (95.5%), versus 76.6% at AIM Chicago.
- Night classes: AIM’s evening schedule and Lewis’s working-adult option, with labs four to five nights a week.
Chicago A&P Schools Compared
| School | Credential | Length | Cost | Starts | Schedule | FAA pass rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Chicago McKinley Park, Chicago | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 tuition + fees (2023-24, latest published) | Next start Nov 2, 2026 | Day or evening | 76.6% |
| Lewis University Romeoville | AMT certificate (61 credits) | 15–21 months | $74,298–$84,800 | Not published | Day, or evening labs | 95.5% |
| City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey South Side, with AIM | AAS (80 credits) | About 8 semesters | $18,572 for Chicago residents | Not published | Not published | Tests under AIM |
| Rock Valley College Rockford (about 90 min) | Aviation Maintenance Certificate (76 credits) | About 22 months | About $12,856 in-district; $21,596 others | Fall or spring | Not published | 95.0% |
| Harper College Palatine / Schaumburg airport | AAS (72 credits, planned) | — | Not published | Pending FAA approval | — | — |
*Combined General, Airframe and Powerplant written-test pass rate, August 1, 2023–December 31, 2024, from the FAA’s pass-rate report. The FAA labels this data preliminary.
What A&P School Costs in Chicago
AIM Chicago does not publish current tuition. Its latest figures (2023-24) were $47,410 in tuition and $4,667 in fees, plus about $1,050 for books and tools. AIM accepts federal aid, the GI Bill and WIOA funding.
Lewis University charges $20,950 per full-time semester or $1,218 per credit in 2026-27, plus a $250 student fee per semester. The 61-credit certificate costs $74,298–$84,800 depending on how you enroll.
City Colleges bills general courses at $163 per credit for Chicago residents ($429 out-of-district) and the AIM-taught courses at $316.67 per credit for everyone. Graduates of Chicago Public Schools with a 3.0 GPA may qualify for the Chicago Star Scholarship; ask whether it covers the AIM-taught courses.
FAA exams. Budget about $1,500–$2,200 for the written, oral and practical exams unless your school covers them.
The Schools
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Chicago (McKinley Park)
AIM opened its Chicago campus at 3711 S Ashland Ave in 2021, with a 32,000-square-foot hangar, airframe and powerplant labs and an avionics lab. It is the best fit if you want to start soon, need evening classes or plan to use federal aid or the GI Bill.
- Program: 21-month Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate (78 credits), the only program AIM offers in Chicago.
- Starts and schedule: day and evening; next start November 2, 2026. See AIM Chicago’s campus page.
- Outcomes: 64% graduation and 50% employment for the 2021-22 cohort, per the school’s 2025 ACCSC disclosure.
- Partners named: American Airlines, United Airlines, Crucial MRO and Olive-Harvey College.
Lewis University (Romeoville)
Lewis trains at its own on-campus airport about 30 miles southwest of the Loop. It had the highest pass rate in the metro (95.5% on 198 tests).
- Programs: 61-credit certificate (15 months with summers, 21 without), 77-credit AAS and an AABI-accredited bachelor’s.
- Working adults: online lectures with labs four to five nights a week starting at 5:30 p.m.
- Already certified? A&P holders receive 58 credits toward a Lewis degree.
City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College (South Side)
Olive-Harvey’s 80-credit AAS starts with general aviation courses on its campus at 10001 S Woodlawn Ave, then moves to AIM Chicago for the Airframe and Powerplant courses. It is the lowest-cost full A&P path in the city for Chicago residents. The 20-credit Basic Certificate covers the General exam only, so plan on the full AAS.
Rock Valley College (Rockford)
Rock Valley is outside the metro but worth the drive: it posted a 95.0% pass rate on 200 tests and costs far less than the private options. Training is at a 40,000-square-foot center at Chicago Rockford International Airport, and AAR’s EAGLE Career Pathway offers tuition reimbursement to its students. Out-of-district students pay about $21,596 for the 76-credit certificate.
Coming Soon: Harper College (Palatine)
Harper opened an aviation maintenance lab at Schaumburg Regional Airport in January 2026 for a planned 72-credit AAS. Programs start pending FAA approval.
Which Chicago School Fits You?
- You want to start soon: AIM Chicago (next start November 2).
- You live in Chicago and cost matters most: City Colleges’ Olive-Harvey AAS.
- You want the strongest track record: Lewis University or Rock Valley College.
- You work days: AIM’s evening schedule or Lewis’s working-adult labs.
- You are a veteran: AIM accepts the GI Bill (Chapters 30, 33, 1606 and 35), VR&E and Tuition Assistance.
Compare every option in the state on our Illinois aviation mechanic schools page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does A&P school take in Chicago?
About 21 months at AIM, 15–21 months at Lewis University and about eight semesters for City Colleges’ AAS at its suggested pace.
What is the cheapest aviation mechanic school in Chicago?
For Chicago residents, City Colleges’ Olive-Harvey AAS at about $18,572. Rock Valley College in Rockford is cheaper for its own district residents.
Can I take A&P classes at night in Chicago?
Yes. AIM offers evening classes, and Lewis University runs labs four to five nights a week for working adults.
Which Chicago school has the best FAA pass rate?
Lewis University had a 95.5% combined written-test pass rate for August 2023–December 2024, and AIM Chicago 76.6%.