North Central Texas College offers A&P training through a partnership with U.S. Aviation Academy: USAA instructors teach the aviation courses at Denton Enterprise Airport, and NCTC awards college credit and certificates.
Verified October 2, 2026 against NCTC’s aviation page and catalog and U.S. Aviation Academy’s partnership page. Compare all Texas A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: About 3 semesters (combined certificates)
- Cost: $34,062 (combined certificates, 42 aviation credits)
- Location: Denton, TX (at U.S. Aviation Academy, Denton Enterprise Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Dallas–Fort Worth A&P schools.
Our Take
The NCTC route suits students who want U.S. Aviation Academy’s training but need federal financial aid or college credit toward an associate degree. It is not a discount: aviation courses cost $811 per credit, about $34,000 for both certificates. Graduates test under USAA’s FAA certificate, which posted a 77.3% pass rate.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Training “aligns with FAA Part 147 requirements through U.S. Aviation Academy” (USAA certificate 2U5T645K) |
| Credentials | Airframe certificate (30 credits), Powerplant certificate (33), combined certificates (42 aviation credits), AAS (60) |
| Length | Combined certificates about 3 semesters; AAS about 4–5 semesters |
| Starts | Fall, spring and summer |
| Cost | $811 per aviation credit; $217 per general-education credit; combined certificates $34,062; AAS $38,328 |
| Aid | FAFSA eligible |
| FAA pass rate | Tests under USAA: 77.3% (649 of 840 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Training site | U.S. Aviation Academy, 4850 Spartan Dr, Denton, TX 76207 |
| Verified | October 2, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
NCTC lists its aviation maintenance credentials with these published prices:
| Program | Credits | Length | Published cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airframe certificate | 30 | 2 semesters | — |
| Powerplant certificate | 33 | 3 semesters | — |
| Combined Airframe and Powerplant certificates | 42 aviation credits | About 3 semesters | $34,062 |
| AAS | 60 | 4–5 semesters | $38,328 |
NCTC’s published combined total (42 credits) is less than the two certificates added together (63), which implies shared courses; the catalog does not show the overlap. Its AAS price also does not reconcile exactly with the per-credit rates.
What You Will Actually Pay
Aviation courses cost $811 per credit, so both certificates come to $34,062; general-education courses cost $217 per credit. Textbooks and tools are provided at USAA orientation (students opt out of NCTC’s book bundle). FAA testing is extra unless USAA includes first attempts.
How to Apply
- Attend an NCTC aviation information session.
- Apply through ApplyTexas and submit transcripts.
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Degree-seeking students also complete TSI testing or an exemption.
How It Compares in Texas
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Central Texas College (Denton) | Combined certificates (42 aviation credits) | About 3 semesters | $34,062 | Tests under USAA |
| U.S. Aviation Academy (Denton) | A&P program | 8–16 months | About $36,000 all-in | 77.3% |
| Tarrant County College (Fort Worth) | Airframe + Powerplant (about 74 credits) | 2 years day; 3 evening | About $5,476 | 88.4% |
| Dallas College | General + Airframe + Powerplant (non-credit) | 13 months; 24 evening | $24,864 | New program |
| Thrust Institute (Addison, Burleson) | AMT program | 10 months | $39,539 | 97.1% |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Irving, Houston) | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 (2023-24) | 76.3% / 89.3% |
For the same training without college credit, U.S. Aviation Academy’s own program costs about $36,000 all-in. See the Dallas–Fort Worth comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who teaches the NCTC aviation courses?
U.S. Aviation Academy instructors, at USAA’s Denton Enterprise Airport campus; NCTC awards the credit.
Can I use federal financial aid?
Yes. The program is FAFSA eligible.
How much does it cost?
$811 per aviation credit: $34,062 for the combined Airframe and Powerplant certificates.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Texas
- Amarillo College - Amarillo
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Irving, Houston
- Dallas College - Dallas
- Del Mar College - Corpus Christi
- Hallmark University - San Antonio
- LeTourneau University - Longview
- Midland College - Midland
- Southwest Texas College - Del Rio
- St. Philip's College - San Antonio
- Tarrant County College - Fort Worth
- Texarkana College - Texarkana
- Thrust Institute of Maintenance - Addison, Burleson, Conroe
- Texas State Technical College - Waco
- U.S. Aviation Academy - Denton, San Marcos
- Universal Technical Institute - Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio