Pennsylvania College of Technology, an affiliate of Penn State, trains aviation mechanics at its 50,000-square-foot Kathryn Wentzel Lumley Aviation Center hangar. It is the only Pennsylvania school offering an A&P certificate, an associate degree and a bachelor’s in aviation maintenance.
Verified October 4, 2026 against Penn College’s program pages and 2026-27 tuition, fees and charges. Compare all Pennsylvania A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 4 semesters (certificate or AAS); 8 semesters (BS)
- Cost: About $45,100 PA residents (71-credit certificate, 2026-27) + lab fees
- Location: Williamsport, PA (Lumley Aviation Center)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Our Take
Penn College suits students who want a public-college setting and a clear path to a bachelor’s degree. It is not cheap: about $45,100 for Pennsylvania residents for the certificate before $70-per-lab-hour fees and tools, and much more out of state. Demand outruns seats, so the certificate and associate degree are waitlisted for spring and fall 2027. Apply early and file the FAFSA for the PA State Grant and Grow PA.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school |
| Credentials | Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate (71 credits); Aviation Technology AAS (83); Aviation Maintenance Technology BS (131.5) |
| Length | 4 semesters (certificate, AAS); 8 semesters (BS) |
| Starts | Fall (spring and summer starts follow an altered sequence); waitlisted for spring and fall 2027 |
| Cost (2026-27) | $631–$640 per credit in-state incl. mandatory fees ($896–$910 out of state) + $70 per lab hour; certificate about $45,100, AAS about $52,769 in-state |
| Tools | Students buy their own from a tool list and need a laptop |
| Aid | PA State Grant ($2,744 per semester full-time), Grow PA (up to $5,000 a year), federal aid |
| FAA pass rate | 86.5% (32 of 37 Airframe and Powerplant written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Verified | October 4, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
All three Penn College programs prepare students for the A&P exams. The certificate transfers 61 credits and the AAS 79 credits toward the bachelor’s.
| Program | Credits | Length | In-state tuition + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate | 71 | 4 semesters | About $45,100 |
| Aviation Technology AAS | 83 | 4+ semesters | About $52,769 |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology BS | 131.5 | 8 semesters | About $83,000–$84,200 |
Totals exclude the $70-per-lab-hour fee, tools and FAA exams. Penn College reports 100% placement for the AAS and 94% for the BS.
What You Will Actually Pay
Penn College’s 2026-27 rates are $530–$539 per credit in tuition for Pennsylvania residents plus $101 in mandatory fees ($631–$640), and $896–$910 out of state. A $70 fee applies per lab hour, which adds substantially in an aviation program. Grow PA grants of up to $5,000 a year cover the program for students who then work in Pennsylvania.
How It Compares in Pennsylvania
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn College (Williamsport) | Certificate (71 credits) | 4 semesters | About $45,100 (PA residents, plus lab fees) | 86.5% |
| Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics | AST degree (77 credits) | 20 months | $46,350 | 92.1% |
| Johnson College (Scranton) | AAS (72 credits) | 2 years | $45,800 | Too few tests |
| Saint Francis University (Johnstown) | AMT certificate (55 credits) | 21 months | $40,975 ($55,415 all-in) | New |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Philadelphia) | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 (2023-24) | 73.4% |
Penn College and Johnson College are Pennsylvania’s nonprofit-college options. See all Pennsylvania A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penn College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates an FAA Part 147 school; its graduates passed 32 of 37 Airframe and Powerplant written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
Is there a waitlist?
Yes. The certificate and AAS are waitlisted for spring and fall 2027, but Penn College is still accepting applications.
Can I get a bachelor’s degree?
Yes. The BS in Aviation Maintenance Technology accepts 61 credits from the certificate or 79 from the AAS.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Pennsylvania
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Philadelphia
- Johnson College - Scranton
- Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics - Pittsburgh (West Mifflin)
- Saint Francis University - Loretto