Mt. San Antonio College runs one of California’s longest-standing aircraft maintenance programs at its Walnut campus in the San Gabriel Valley, with a day track for full-time students and an evening track for working adults.
Verified October 3, 2026 against Mt. SAC’s 2026-27 catalog and application page. Compare all California A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 21 months day; about 24 months evening (A&P)
- Cost: $3,129 CA residents (evening A&P, 2026-27)
- Location: Walnut, CA
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Los Angeles-area A&P schools.
Our Take
Mt. SAC combines community-college cost (about $3,129 for residents), supplied tools and a 94.4% FAA pass rate, so it is one of the best values in Southern California. The catch is access: one class a year, admitted through an April orientation and math exam. The Fall 2026 class is full, so plan for the April 2027 window.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate CQ9T069R) |
| Full A&P credential | Airframe and Powerplant AS, 67.5 major units (day) or 63.5 (evening) |
| Other credentials | Airframe certificate and Powerplant certificate (41.5 units day, 39.5 evening) |
| Length | About 21 months day; about 24 months evening in 9-week modules |
| Admission | Fall start only; April orientation (75 seats per session) and no-calculator math exam; next window April 2027 |
| Cost (2026-27) | About $3,129 for CA residents (evening track); about $28,212 nonresident |
| Tools | Supplied by the college |
| FAA pass rate | 94.4% (34 of 36 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | Building 28, 1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789 |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
Mt. SAC’s 2026-27 catalog lists day and evening versions of each program; students stay on one track.
| Program | Day units | Evening units |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe and Powerplant AS (major units) | 67.5 | 63.5 |
| Airframe certificate | 41.5 | 39.5 |
| Powerplant certificate | 41.5 | 39.5 |
The AS also requires general education.
What You Will Actually Pay
California residents pay $46 per unit in 2026-27; the California College Promise Grant waives that fee for eligible residents, though campus fees still apply. The 63.5 evening units cost $2,921, about $3,129 with health and transportation fees. Nonresidents pay $395 per unit plus the $46 fee per the catalog (about $28,212), though the college’s fee page lists $434. Mt. SAC supplies all tools.
How to get in
Admission runs through a mandatory April orientation and a no-calculator math exam, with about 75 seats per session. Missing the window means waiting a year.
How It Compares in Southern California
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut) | AS (63.5–67.5 units) | 21–24 months | $3,129 | 94.4% |
| West Los Angeles College (Culver City) | AS or certificates | Not published | $46 per unit | 90.8% |
| North Valley Occupational Center (Van Nuys) | 2,340 hours | About 2 years | Tuition-free | 97.5% |
| Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) | Certificate (63 units) | About 2 years | $3,033 | 88.6% |
| Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga) | Certificate (about 53 units) | About 18 months | About $2,507 | 91.4% |
| UTI (Long Beach) | AOS (1,950 hours) | 78 weeks | $53,595 | Not yet in FAA data |
| Spartan College (Inglewood) | Diploma (93 credits) | 18 months | $57,096 | 85.4% |
Mt. SAC has one of the highest pass rates in Southern California at community-college cost. See all California A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mt. San Antonio College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates FAA Part 147 school CQ9T069R; graduates passed 34 of 36 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
When can I start?
Only in the fall. Apply through the April orientation and math exam; the next window is April 2027.
Is there an evening option?
Yes. The evening track takes about 24 months in nine-week modules.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in California
- Antelope Valley College - Lancaster
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Fremont
- California Aeronautical University - Bakersfield
- Chaffey College - Rancho Cucamonga
- College of Alameda - Alameda
- Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo
- Gavilan College - San Martin
- North Valley Occupational Center - Van Nuys
- Orange Coast College - Costa Mesa
- Reedley College - Reedley
- Sacramento City College - Sacramento
- San Bernardino Valley College - San Bernardino
- San Diego Miramar College - San Diego
- San Joaquin Valley College - Fresno
- Solano Community College - Vacaville
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology - Inglewood & Riverside
- Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach
- Victor Valley College - Victorville
- West Los Angeles College - Culver City