Lewis University, a Catholic Lasallian university founded in 1932 as an aviation school, trains aviation maintenance students at the Harold E. White Aviation Center on its own airport in Romeoville, about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.
Verified October 3, 2026 against Lewis University’s program page, catalog and 2026-27 tuition rates. Compare all Illinois A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 15 months with summers, 21 without (certificate); 4 years (BS)
- Cost: $74,298–$84,800 (A&P certificate, 2026-27)
- Location: Romeoville, IL (Lewis University Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Chicago-area A&P schools.
Our Take
Lewis suits Chicago-area students who want an A&P inside a four-year university, or working adults who need evenings: lectures move online and labs run four to five nights a week. Graduates passed 95.5% of FAA written tests. It is the most expensive A&P path in Illinois; Rock Valley and City Colleges cost a fraction as much.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate AN9T014R); BS accredited by AABI |
| Full A&P credential | Aviation Maintenance Technology certificate, 61 credits (16 FAA courses, about 34 hours a week) |
| Other credentials | AAS (77 credits, 5 semesters); BS Aviation Maintenance Technology (120–129 credits); 4+1 master’s option |
| Length | 15 months with summer terms; 21 months without |
| Evening option | Online lectures plus labs 4–5 nights a week from 5:30 p.m. |
| Cost (2026-27) | Certificate $74,298 (per credit) to $84,800 (full-time semesters); BS about $169,600 |
| FAA pass rate | 95.5% (189 of 198 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | One University Parkway, Romeoville; Lewis University Airport on campus |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
All Lewis maintenance programs build on the same 16-course A&P core; degrees add general education and management courses. A&P holders from other schools receive 58 credits toward Lewis degrees.
| Program | Credits | Length | Cost (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMT certificate | 61 | 15–21 months | $74,298–$84,800 |
| AAS | 77 | 5 semesters (20 months) | $93,786–$106,000 |
| BS Aviation Maintenance Technology | 120–129 | 4 years | About $169,600 |
| Minor | 20 | 2–4 semesters | $24,360 |
Ranges show per-credit billing ($1,218) versus full-time semester billing ($20,950 plus $250 per semester). Confirm which applies with the bursar.
What You Will Actually Pay
Lewis’s 2026-27 rates are $20,950 per semester for 12–18 credits or $1,218 per credit, plus a $250 student fee each semester. The certificate is $84,800 over four full-time semesters or $74,298 at the per-credit rate. Aviation lab fees, tools and FAA tests are extra.
Outcomes
Lewis reports 100% job offers for maintenance graduates (undated); employers include Southwest, United, Republic Airways and UPS.
How It Compares in Illinois
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis University (Romeoville) | AMT certificate (61 credits) | 15–21 months | $74,298–$84,800 | 95.5% |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Chicago) | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 (2023-24) | 76.6% |
| City Colleges of Chicago (Olive-Harvey) | AAS (80 credits) | 8 semesters | $18,572 | Tests under AIM |
| Rock Valley College (Rockford) | Certificate (76 credits) | 6 terms, about 22 months | About $12,856 | 95.0% |
| Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) | Airframe + Powerplant certificates (64 credits) | 4 semesters | $36,944 | 96.3% |
| Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield) | Airframe + Powerplant certificates (66 credits) | 18 months | $20,394 | 90.3% |
Lewis is the most expensive Illinois option, with its own airport and an evening format for working adults. See all Illinois A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewis University’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates FAA Part 147 school AN9T014R; graduates passed 189 of 198 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
Can I attend while working?
Yes. The working-adult format puts lectures online and runs labs four to five evenings a week starting at 5:30 p.m.
How long is the certificate?
15 months if you attend summer terms, 21 months if you do not.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Illinois
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Chicago
- City Colleges of Chicago - Chicago
- Lincoln Land Community College - Springfield
- Rock Valley College - Rockford
- Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
- Southwestern Illinois College - Granite City