Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), founded in 1929, is a private aviation maintenance and electronics school based at Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh, with branch campuses in Hagerstown, Maryland; Youngstown, Ohio; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Verified October 4, 2026 against PIA’s 2026-27 Pittsburgh catalog, campus pages, ACCSC graduation and employment disclosure and FAA pass-rate data. Compare A&P schools by state.
Quick Facts
- Length: 16 months (branch diploma) to 20 months (Pittsburgh degree)
- Cost: $31,200 (branch diploma) to $46,350 (Pittsburgh degree), 2026-27
- Location: Pittsburgh (West Mifflin), PA; Hagerstown, MD; Youngstown (Vienna), OH; Myrtle Beach, SC
- Website: Official School Web Page
Our Take
Public colleges in some PIA markets cost less, but PIA delivers some of the strongest results of any A&P school: FAA pass rates of 88%–92% at every campus and employment of 89%–98% in its latest ACCSC report. Its branch diploma is fast (16 months) and priced at $31,200; Pittsburgh’s 20-month associate degree costs about $46,350. Classes start three times a year, and PIA accepts federal aid, the GI Bill and state grants.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, ACCSC accredited (School of Excellence) |
| Campuses | Pittsburgh (West Mifflin, PA), Hagerstown (MD), Youngstown (Vienna, OH), Myrtle Beach (SC) |
| Pittsburgh program | Aviation Maintenance Technology, Associate in Specialized Technology: 77 credits, 5 semesters, 20 months |
| Branch program | AMT diploma: 65 credits, 1,900 hours, 16 months |
| Cost (2026-27) | Pittsburgh $46,350 tuition and fees ($48,975 with books and tools); branches $31,200 tuition + about $2,600 books and tools |
| FAA exams | $1,725 for all nine exams |
| Starts | September, January and May at every campus |
| FAA pass rates | 88.3%–92.1% by campus (Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Outcomes | Employment 89%–98% by campus (ACCSC 2025) |
| Verified | October 4, 2026 |
Campuses
Pass rates are combined FAA written-test results for August 2023–December 2024. Graduation and employment rates are from PIA’s 2025 ACCSC disclosure (Pittsburgh: 2021-22 starts; branches: 2022-23 starts).
| Campus | Program and length | 2026-27 tuition | FAA pass rate | Graduation / employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh (West Mifflin), PA | AST degree, 20 months | $44,250 + fees | 92.1% | 87% / 95% |
| Hagerstown, MD | Diploma, 16 months | $31,200 | 88.3% | 66% / 90% |
| Youngstown (Vienna), OH | Diploma, 16 months | $31,200 | 88.3% | 82% / 97% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | Diploma, 16 months | $31,200 | 89.2% | 61% / 98% |
Pittsburgh is at Allegheny County Airport; Hagerstown at Hagerstown Regional Airport; Youngstown at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
Programs
For students starting after July 2026, PIA’s Pittsburgh catalog offers two associate programs, Aviation Maintenance Technology (leads to the A&P) and Aviation Electronics Technology (leads to NCATT avionics certification), with optional rotorcraft and drone electives. The branch campuses offer a 16-month AMT diploma.
| Program | Credits / hours | Length | Campuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Maintenance Technology, AST | 77 / 2,100 | 20 months | Pittsburgh |
| Aviation Electronics Technology, AST | 77 / 2,100 | 20 months | Pittsburgh |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology diploma | 65 / 1,900 | 16 months | Hagerstown, Youngstown, Myrtle Beach |
PIA’s Pittsburgh campus page lists 2,478 hours; the 2026-27 catalog lists 2,100.
What You Will Actually Pay
PIA moved to semester billing on September 1, 2026. Pittsburgh charges $8,850 per term for five terms ($44,250), plus registration, uniform, technology and materials fees ($46,350), plus $2,625 for books and tools. Branch campuses charge $520 per credit, $31,200 for the diploma, plus about $2,600 for books and tools. All nine FAA exams cost $1,725. PIA accepts federal aid, the GI Bill, the PA State Grant (Pittsburgh), Grow PA, and Ohio and Maryland state grants, and offers its own grants of $1,000–$2,000.
Why Students Choose PIA
- Results: FAA pass rates of 88%–92% at every campus and employment of 89%–98% in the latest ACCSC report.
- Speed: the branch diploma takes 16 months.
- Three starts a year: September, January and May.
- Avionics option: Pittsburgh’s Aviation Electronics degree leads to NCATT certification.
- Long track record: training aviation technicians since 1929, with ACCSC School of Excellence recognition.
PIA vs. Other Pennsylvania Programs
Pennsylvania has no community college A&P program, so PIA’s Pittsburgh price is in line with the state’s other options.
| School | Full A&P path | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn College | Certificate (71 credits) | About $45,100 (PA residents) + lab fees | 86.5% |
| Johnson College | AAS (72 credits) | $45,800 | Too few tests |
| Saint Francis University | Certificate (55 credits) | $40,975 ($55,415 all-in) | New |
| AIM Philadelphia | AMT certificate (78 credits) | $52,077 (2023-24) | 73.4% |
Pass rates are for August 2023–December 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does PIA cost?
For 2026-27, about $46,350 in tuition and fees for the 20-month Pittsburgh degree, or $31,200 in tuition for the 16-month diploma at Hagerstown, Youngstown and Myrtle Beach. Books, tools and FAA exams are extra.
Is PIA FAA-approved?
Yes. Each campus operates an FAA Part 147 school; pass rates ranged from 88.3% to 92.1% from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA pass-rate report.
Does PIA offer avionics?
Yes. Pittsburgh’s 20-month Aviation Electronics Technology degree prepares students for NCATT certification.
When does PIA start classes?
September, January and May at every campus; the next starts are January 5 and May 4, 2027.
Compare Schools in Each State
See every A&P school in Pennsylvania, and Hagerstown on our Northern Virginia and DC page.