Universal Technical Institute (UTI), best known for automotive and diesel training, has expanded aviation maintenance to nine campuses since 2023. Most are new programs, so only Houston and Canton have FAA pass-rate history.
Verified October 3, 2026 against UTI’s 2026-27 campus catalogs, program pages, ACCSC outcome reports and FAA pass-rate data. Compare A&P schools by state.
Quick Facts
- Length: 78 weeks (about 18 months); 20 months at Canton
- Cost: $51,475–$54,095 tuition + fees (2026-27, by campus)
- Location: 9 campuses: AZ, CA, FL, GA, MI, TX (3), UT (2027)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Our Take
Public colleges near UTI’s campuses cost less, often $3,000–$13,000 versus UTI’s $51,000–$54,000. What UTI offers in return is a structured, all-inclusive program: about 18 months, several start dates a year, books, uniforms and safety gear included, up to $2,000 toward FAA written tests and a Hawaiian Airlines hiring partnership. Most UTI aviation programs are new, so only Houston (85.9%) and Canton (78.0%) have FAA pass-rate history. Ask any campus for its first-cohort results.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Private for-profit; ACCSC accredited |
| Aviation campuses | Avondale AZ, Long Beach CA, Miramar FL, Atlanta (Smyrna) GA, Canton MI, Houston TX, Dallas–Fort Worth TX, San Antonio TX; Salt Lake City UT opening 2027 |
| Programs | A&P Technician diploma (A01000) at Avondale, Houston and Miramar; Aviation Maintenance Technology associate degree (A02000) at Long Beach, Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio and Salt Lake City; certificate and AAS at Canton |
| Length | 1,950 clock hours, 78 weeks (about 18 months); Canton 85–104 weeks |
| Cost (2026-27) | $51,475–$54,095 by campus, books included (Canton charges books separately) |
| FAA test fees | UTI covers up to $2,000 for graduates who meet study criteria and test within 120 days |
| Employer partner | Hawaiian Airlines: first-round interviews, up to $10,000 sign-on bonus and $12,000 relocation for hired graduates |
| FAA pass rates | Houston 85.9%, Canton 78.0%; other campuses too new (Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Campuses
Costs are tuition plus registration, lab, equipment and laptop fees from each campus’s catalog. Pass rates are combined FAA written-test results for August 2023–December 2024.
| Campus | Program | Length | 2026-27 cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale, AZ | A&P Technician diploma | 78 weeks | $54,095 | Too new |
| Long Beach, CA | AMT associate degree | 78 weeks | $53,595 | Too new |
| Miramar, FL | A&P Technician diploma | 78 weeks | $53,095 | Too few tests |
| Atlanta (Smyrna), GA | AMT associate degree | 78 weeks | $53,095 | New (starts Oct 2026) |
| Canton, MI (Detroit area) | A&P certificate / AAS | 85 / 104 weeks | $52,999 / $59,330 | 78.0% |
| Houston, TX | A&P Technician diploma | 78 weeks | $53,495 | 85.9% |
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | AMT associate degree | 78 weeks | $53,095 | New |
| San Antonio, TX | AMT associate degree | 78 weeks | $51,900 | New (opened 2026) |
| Salt Lake City (West Jordan), UT | AMT associate degree | 78 weeks | $51,475 | Opens 2027 |
Houston’s and Miramar’s FAA certificates were matched by FAA district office. Canton tests under its former MIAT College of Technology certificate. Dallas–Fort Worth’s launch date and FAA approval were not confirmed when we checked. Salt Lake City’s program is not VA-eligible, per UTI’s catalog.
Programs
UTI’s Aviation Maintenance Technology degree and A&P Technician diploma share the same 1,950-hour core (766 classroom and 1,184 lab hours), combining hands-on labs with instructor-led online coursework.
| Program | Credits / hours | Length | Campuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Maintenance Technology, associate degree (A02000) | 69 credits / 1,950 hours | 78 weeks | Long Beach, Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, Salt Lake City |
| Airframe & Powerplant Technician diploma (A01000) | 69 credits / 1,950 hours | 78 weeks | Avondale, Houston, Miramar |
| Airframe and Powerplant Technician certificate | 110 quarter credits / 2,040 hours | 85 weeks | Canton |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS | 134 quarter credits / 2,280 hours | 104 weeks | Canton |
What You Will Actually Pay
At 2026-27 rates, tuition runs $50,500–$53,120 and fees (registration $50, lab $195, equipment $135, laptop $400–$595) bring totals to $51,475–$54,095, per UTI’s campus catalogs. Books, uniforms and safety gear are included except at Canton, which adds $404 for books.
UTI pays up to $2,000 toward the FAA written exams, plus one retake, if graduates test within 120 days and meet one of four study benchmarks, per its FAA certification policy. FAA oral and practical exams are extra. UTI accepts federal aid; VA eligibility varies by campus.
Why Students Choose UTI
- All-inclusive pricing: tuition covers books, uniforms and safety gear (Canton charges $404 for books), so there are few surprise costs.
- FAA test fees covered: up to $2,000 for the written exams and one retake for graduates who meet UTI’s study benchmarks.
- Employer connections: Hawaiian Airlines offers UTI A&P graduates first-round interviews, a sign-on bonus of up to $10,000 and up to $12,000 in relocation if hired, and graduates may receive a Snap-on tool voucher.
- Start without waiting: several start dates a year, versus fall or spring cohorts at most public colleges.
- A degree option: five campuses award an associate degree, and Canton offers an AAS.
Outcomes
Because most UTI aviation programs started in 2023 or later, UTI’s 2025 ACCSC reports list them as new offerings without graduation or employment rates. Canton’s A&P certificate, inherited from MIAT, reported 54% graduation and 72% employment for its 2021-22 cohort; its AAS reported 90% and 71%.
UTI vs. Nearby Public Programs
Public colleges cost less but usually start once or twice a year, and some have waitlists. These are verified 2026-27 public options near UTI’s aviation campuses, so you can weigh price against timing and what is included.
| Campus | Nearby public option | Cost (residents) | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale | Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Mesa) | $8,223 | 91.6% |
| Long Beach | Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut) | $3,129 | 94.4% |
| Miramar | Broward College (Pembroke Pines) | $7,074 + lab fees | 84.7% |
| Atlanta | Atlanta Technical College | $13,356 (both certificates), HOPE eligible | 81.8% |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | Tarrant County College (Fort Worth) | About $5,476 | 88.4% |
| San Antonio | St. Philip’s College | About $8,300 | 86.9% |
Pass rates are for August 2023–December 2024. UTI campus rates are in the campus table above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does UTI’s aviation program cost?
$51,475–$54,095 at 2026-27 rates depending on campus, including books at every campus except Canton.
Is UTI’s aviation program FAA-approved?
UTI says its aviation programs are FAA-certificated. Only Houston (85.9%) and Canton (78.0%) have meaningful pass-rate data for August 2023–December 2024, per the FAA pass-rate report; the other campuses are newer.
Does UTI pay for FAA tests?
UTI covers up to $2,000 of FAA written test fees, including one retake, for graduates who test within 120 days and meet its study benchmarks.
Is UTI’s program a degree?
At Long Beach, Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio and Salt Lake City it is an associate degree; Avondale, Houston and Miramar award a diploma, and Canton offers a certificate or AAS.
Compare Schools in Each State
See every A&P school, public and private, in UTI’s states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, Utah.