Updated October 5, 2026. Verified against 2026-27 school catalogs, tuition schedules and FAA pass-rate data. How we verify.
Metro Detroit has one FAA-certificated A&P mechanic school: Universal Technical Institute in Canton, the former MIAT College of Technology. Within about two hours are Federal Aerospace Institute at Toledo Express Airport, Lansing Community College near Lansing and Western Michigan University in Battle Creek, which cost less but start only once a year or charge out-of-district rates.
Key Takeaways
- In the metro: UTI Canton, a 20-month A&P certificate for $52,999 with books, or a 24-month AAS; next start October 28, 2026.
- Closest alternative: Federal Aerospace Institute in Swanton, Ohio, about an hour from Detroit; a 12-month day program with a 92.7% FAA pass rate.
- Lowest cost nearby: Lansing Community College, about $43,500 for Detroit-area residents at out-of-district rates; its next cohort starts August 2027.
- Pay: metro Detroit aircraft mechanics earn a median of $75,940 a year.
Detroit-Area A&P Schools Compared
| School | Full A&P path | Length and schedule | Cost | Starts | FAA pass rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Technical Institute – Canton Canton, Wayne County | A&P certificate or AAS | 20 months; 24 months (AAS) | $52,999 certificate, books included; $59,330 AAS | Several a year; next Oct 28, 2026 | 78.0% |
| Federal Aerospace Institute Toledo Express Airport, Swanton, OH (about 1 hour) | A&P program (67 credits) | About 12 months; weekdays 8–3 | About $44,000 (school estimate) | Ask the school | 92.7% |
| Lansing Community College Mason (about 1.5 hours) | Airframe and Powerplant sequence (94 credits) | 24 months; weekdays | About $43,500 out-of-district; $27,700 in-district | Fall; next Aug 2027 | 86.6% |
| Western Michigan University Battle Creek (about 2 hours) | BS; A&P after year 2 | 2 years to A&P | About $37,000 to A&P (resident) | Fall | 93.2% |
| School of Missionary Aviation Technology Ionia (about 2.5 hours) | AMT program (1,848 hours) | 12 months | About $36,350 incl. tools and FAA exams (2025-26) | August; 30 seats | 94.6% |
*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. UTI Canton tests under its former name, MIAT College of Technology. Federal Aerospace Institute’s rate is based on 55 tests. Drive times are approximate, from downtown Detroit.
Universal Technical Institute – Canton
UTI’s Canton campus at 2955 S. Haggerty Road, off I-275, has trained aviation mechanics since its MIAT days; UTI bought the school in 2021. It is the only A&P program in metro Detroit and the only Michigan school that starts classes several times a year.
- Programs: Airframe and Powerplant Technician certificate (2,040 hours, about 20 months) or Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS (2,280 hours, about 24 months, with general education online).
- Cost: $52,999 for the certificate with books and $59,330 for the AAS at rates effective August 2026, per UTI’s campus catalog. UTI pays up to $2,000 toward FAA written tests for qualifying graduates.
- Outcomes: 78.0% FAA pass rate (184 of 236 tests). The certificate’s 2021-22 cohort reported 54% graduation and 72% employment; the AAS reported 90% and 71%.
- Schedule: class times are set in each student’s enrollment agreement; ask admissions about day and evening sections.
Why Students Choose UTI Canton
Public programs near Detroit cost less, but the closest is more than an hour away and starts once a year. UTI lets Detroit-area students train close to home and start within weeks, with books included, FAA test fees covered for qualifying graduates and hiring connections such as its Hawaiian Airlines partnership.
Options Within Two Hours
Federal Aerospace Institute (Toledo, Ohio)
Federal Aerospace Institute trains at Toledo Express Airport in Swanton, Ohio. Its 67-credit A&P program takes about 12 months, split into General, Airframe and Powerplant sections, with classes Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. FAI does not publish a tuition schedule; its site puts the program at around $44,000. Graduates passed 51 of 55 FAA written tests (92.7%).
Lansing Community College
LCC’s 24-month day program at Mason Jewett Field is a Delta Air Lines partner with an 86.6% pass rate. Detroit-area residents pay the out-of-district rate, about $43,500 for the full sequence; Michigan Reconnect covers only part of that. The next cohort starts August 26, 2027, and admission requires department approval.
Western Michigan University and SMAT
Western Michigan University in Battle Creek offers a bachelor’s degree with A&P eligibility after about two years (93.2% pass rate). The School of Missionary Aviation Technology in Ionia runs a 12-month program with Michigan’s best pass rate, 94.6%. See the Michigan guide for all six Michigan schools.
Not yet confirmed
Wayne County Community College lists an airframe and powerplant program at its Downriver campus in Taylor, but it does not appear in FAA testing data. Confirm FAA approval and enrollment before applying.
Aviation Maintenance Jobs in Metro Detroit
Aircraft mechanics in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area earn a median of $75,940 a year, per BLS wage data published by O*NET. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a Delta hub; Kalitta Air runs its operations from Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti and offers a paid apprenticeship; and the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is converting to F-15EX fighters and KC-46 tankers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MIAT still open?
Yes, as Universal Technical Institute – Canton. UTI bought MIAT College of Technology in 2021, and the campus still teaches aviation maintenance at 2955 S. Haggerty Road.
What is the cheapest A&P school near Detroit?
Lansing Community College, at about $43,500 for Detroit-area residents (out-of-district rate). Western Michigan University is about $37,000 to A&P eligibility for Michigan residents.
Are there evening A&P classes in Detroit?
UTI sets class times in each enrollment agreement, so ask about evening sections. The public programs nearby and Federal Aerospace Institute are daytime only.
How We Verify This Information
We check every figure against school catalogs, tuition schedules and program pages, ACCSC outcome disclosures and the FAA’s pass-rate report. Where a school does not publish a figure, we say so or show our estimate. Verified October 5, 2026.