City Colleges of Chicago offers aviation maintenance training through Olive-Harvey College on the South Side. General education and introductory aviation courses are taught at Olive-Harvey; the Airframe and Powerplant courses are taught at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s Chicago campus under a partnership.
Verified October 3, 2026 against the City Colleges catalog and FY2027 tuition schedule. Compare all Illinois A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 8 semesters suggested (AAS); 4 semesters (General certificate)
- Cost: $18,572 AAS (Chicago residents, FY2027)
- Location: Chicago, IL (Olive-Harvey College and AIM Chicago)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Chicago-area A&P schools.
Our Take
City Colleges is the low-cost route into AIM Chicago’s hangar: the full associate degree costs Chicago residents about $18,572, roughly a third of AIM’s own certificate. The trade-off is time. The suggested sequence runs eight semesters, versus 21 months at AIM directly. The shorter Basic Certificate covers the FAA General exam only, so it does not lead to an A&P on its own.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Airframe and Powerplant courses taught at AIM Chicago (Part 147 school AMRT647K); we found no separate Part 147 certificate for Olive-Harvey |
| Full A&P credential | Aviation Maintenance Technician AAS, 80 credits |
| Other credential | General Basic Certificate, 20 credits (FAA General exam only) |
| Length | 8 semesters suggested (AAS); 4 semesters (Basic Certificate) |
| Cost (FY2027) | AAS $18,572 Chicago residents; $30,276 out-of-district; $35,072 out-of-state |
| Where | Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S Woodlawn Ave; AIM Chicago, 3711 S Ashland Ave |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
The AAS combines 16 credits of general education, 61 credits of aviation courses and a 3-credit capstone. The Basic Certificate is the four General Sciences courses, one per semester.
| Program | Credits | Length | FAA exams covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAS Aviation Maintenance Technician | 80 | 8 semesters (suggested) | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| General Basic Certificate | 20 | 4 semesters | General only |
The Basic Certificate credits count toward the AAS.
What You Will Actually Pay
At FY2027 rates, Olive-Harvey courses (44 credits) cost $163 per credit for Chicago residents, $429 out-of-district and $538 out-of-state. The 36 credits of Airframe and Powerplant courses taught at AIM cost $316.67 per credit for everyone. That makes the AAS about $18,572, $30,276 or $35,072. The Basic Certificate is about $3,260 for Chicago residents. Books, tools and FAA test fees are extra.
Recent Chicago Public Schools graduates may qualify for the Chicago Star Scholarship; confirm with the college whether it covers the AIM partnership courses.
Requirements
Course descriptions for the AIM-taught courses list requirements including being 18 or older, a driver’s license and a drug screen. Confirm current requirements with Olive-Harvey’s advisors before enrolling.
How It Compares in Illinois
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago (Olive-Harvey) | AAS (80 credits) | 8 semesters | $18,572 | Tests under AIM |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Chicago) | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 (2023-24) | 76.6% |
| Lewis University (Romeoville) | AMT certificate (61 credits) | 15–21 months | $74,298–$84,800 | 95.5% |
| Rock Valley College (Rockford) | Certificate (76 credits) | 6 terms, about 22 months | About $12,856 | 95.0% |
| Southwestern Illinois College (Granite City) | A&P certificate (60 credits) | 50 weeks–2 years | $9,240 + course fees | 87.9% |
| Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield) | Airframe + Powerplant certificates (66 credits) | 18 months | $20,394 | 90.3% |
City Colleges costs far less than AIM Chicago but takes about twice as long. See all Illinois A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the City Colleges program FAA-approved?
The Airframe and Powerplant courses are taught at Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chicago, an FAA Part 147 school, and graduates test under AIM’s certificate. AIM Chicago graduates passed 118 of 154 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
Does the Basic Certificate lead to an A&P?
No. It prepares you for the FAA General exam only. You need the full AAS for the Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
How much does it cost?
About $18,572 for Chicago residents for the AAS at FY2027 rates, plus books, tools and FAA test fees.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Illinois
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Chicago
- Lewis University - Romeoville
- Lincoln Land Community College - Springfield
- Rock Valley College - Rockford
- Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
- Southwestern Illinois College - Granite City