Texas is one of the most target-rich states in the country for anyone pursuing an aircraft mechanic career. The DFW metroplex alone hosts some of the world’s busiest airline operations, and Houston’s aerospace and offshore helicopter sectors add a second major demand center further south.
The training infrastructure has grown to match: the best aircraft mechanic schools in Texas range from accelerated private programs on active airport properties to community colleges charging a few thousand dollars for a full Associate degree.
This guide covers the Texas programs currently listed in the AMT Registry, a national directory of FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician schools.
Quick Comparison of Texas AMT Schools
| School | Location | Credential | Length | Approx. Cost | GI Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrust Institute of Maintenance | Addison / Conroe / Fort Worth | Certificate | 10 months | $39,539 | No |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance | Irving / Houston | Certificate | 21 months | $47,410 | Yes |
| Tarrant County College | Fort Worth | AAS Degree | 24 months | ~$4,440 | Yes |
| LeTourneau University | Longview | Bachelor of Science | 4 years | ~$35,500/yr | Yes |
| Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | AAS Degree | 18 months | ~$1,700/semester | Yes |
| U.S. Aviation Academy | Denton / San Marcos | Certificate | 8 months | ~$36,000 | Yes (San Marcos) |
1. Thrust Institute of Maintenance — Addison and Conroe
School Website | AMT Registry Listing (Addison) | AMT Registry Listing (Conroe) | AMT Registry Listing (Fort Worth)
Addresses: 16111 Addison Rd, Addison, TX 75001 / 1007 General Thomas Kelly Blvd, Conroe, TX 77303 Program Length: 10 months | Cost: $39,539 | GI Bill: Not listed Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Day & Evening
No other FAA-certified program in Texas gets students to A&P-ready in 10 months. Most competing programs run 21 to 28 months, and Thrust’s ability to deliver the same certification outcome in roughly half the time makes it a clear choice for many A&P students.
All three Texas campuses sit directly on airport property. Addison Airport (ADS) is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country, Spinks airport is easy access to Fort Worth residents, and the Conroe campus serves students in the Houston metro who don’t want to drive to DFW.
The program is structured around shop time and exam readiness from day one. Small class sizes mean instructors can give individual attention in the lab, and Thrust actively connects graduates with a Designated Mechanic Examiner to sit for their FAA written, oral, and practical exams, something most schools leave students to arrange on their own.
Schedule flexibility is real, not just a marketing line. Day classes run 8 AM to 4 PM, and evening classes run 4 PM to midnight, both Monday through Friday at the Addison location. That makes the program genuinely workable for career changers with day jobs.
The tuition of $39,539 covers tuition, books, lab fees, and the application fee. Campus housing is available for $9,000 for the duration of the program, which matters for out-of-state students or those relocating for training. Financing is available through Sallie Mae and Stratus Financial Partners.
Best for: High school grads and career changers who need the fastest credentialed path to A&P certification.
2. Aviation Institute of Maintenance — Irving and Houston
School Website | AMT Registry Listing (Dallas) | AMT Registry Listing (Houston)
Addresses: 400 E Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062 / 7651 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77061 Program Length: 21 months | Cost: $47,410 | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Day & Evening Clock Hours: 2,040
AIM operates two Texas campuses: one in Irving in the heart of the DFW corridor, and one adjacent to William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. Both serve aviation hubs with concentrated airline and MRO activity, and both run the same 21-month curriculum with 2,040 training hours.
Industry partnerships with American, United, Delta, and Piedmont give AIM a direct line into commercial airline hiring. For students whose goal is an airline maintenance career specifically, those relationships carry real weight.
GI Bill approval makes AIM a stronger option than Thrust for veterans. The 21-month timeline is longer, but the airline connections and the broader national AIM network are factors that shift the calculation for the right student.
Best for: Students targeting commercial airline maintenance careers, particularly veterans using GI Bill benefits who want industry connections built into the program.
3. Tarrant County College — Fort Worth
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 2301 Horizon Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76179 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: ~$4,440 (AAS, estimated) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Associate of Applied Science | Schedule: Day
TCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program runs out of the Erma C. Johnson Hadley Center of Excellence in Fort Worth, inside one of the most aviation-dense metros in the world. The facility includes modern classrooms and a large hangar with commercial-grade aircraft.
At roughly $4,440 for the full AAS degree, TCC is the most affordable path to a two-year credential in the DFW area by a significant margin. The degree carries more long-term weight than a certificate if management or inspection roles are part of the plan.
Best for: DFW-area students who want a degree-level credential at the lowest possible cost and are not in a hurry to finish in under two years.
4. LeTourneau University — Longview
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 2100 S Mobberly Ave, Longview, TX 75602 Program Length: 4 years | Cost: ~$35,500/year | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Bachelor of Science | Schedule: Day Housing: Available
LeTourneau is the only school on this list offering a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Science, and that credential opens doors that a certificate or two-year degree doesn’t. The program is based at a 55,000-square-foot facility at East Texas Regional Airport with dedicated labs for turbine engines, composites, and advanced avionics.
Concentration options in Avionics Computer Science and Mechanical Technology let students specialize beyond the standard A&P curriculum. Industry partnerships with Cessna, Envoy, and SkyWest signal where graduates tend to land. The four-year commitment and private university tuition are real costs, but the credential is categorically different from anything else available in the state.
Best for: Students planning for supervisory, engineering-adjacent, or technical management roles who want a four-year degree rather than a certificate or two-year credential.
5. Del Mar College — Corpus Christi
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 3001 Ayers Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 Program Length: 36 months | Cost: ~$2,881 (in-state, estimated) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Associate of Applied Science | Schedule: Day Clock Hours: 1,900+
At roughly $2,881 for the full program, Del Mar is the lowest-cost path to an AAS degree in Texas on this list. The curriculum covers traditional structures, composites, airframe electrical systems, and engine performance diagnostics, plus a specialized Avionics Electronics Technology track for students interested in modern aircraft systems.
The 36-month timeline is the longest of any program here, and Corpus Christi is a smaller aviation market than DFW or Houston. For students based in South Texas who want the most affordable degree possible and aren’t in a rush, Del Mar is the answer.
Best for: South Texas residents who want the lowest-cost route to an A&P credential and AAS degree, and who plan to work in the regional market after graduation.
6. U.S. Aviation Academy — Denton and San Marcos
School Website | AMT Registry Listing (Denton) | AMT Registry Listing (San Marcos)
Addresses: 4850 Spartan Dr, Denton, TX 76207 / 2049 Airport Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666 Program Length: 8 months | Cost: ~$36,000 | GI Bill: Yes (San Marcos); confirm for Denton Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Day & Evening
U.S. Aviation Academy runs two Texas campuses: one at Denton Enterprise Airport north of DFW, and one at San Marcos Regional Airport between Austin and San Antonio. Both are built around an accelerated 8-month daytime track, making them the fastest option on this list for students who can commit to full-time training.
Both campuses are located on active airports, and the school provides tools for use during training, removing an out-of-pocket expense that catches students off guard at other programs. The San Marcos location has a published preferred hiring pathway with Envoy Air, which is worth asking about directly during admissions.
Evening and extended schedule options are available for students who need more flexibility. GI Bill approval is confirmed for San Marcos; Denton approval should be verified with the school before enrolling.
Best for: Students who want the fastest available path to A&P certification and are choosing between an accelerated private program and community college timelines.
The Texas Aviation Job Market
Texas has two distinct aviation employment centers that serve different career profiles. DFW is a hub for commercial airline maintenance, with American Airlines’ maintenance operations and a dense network of MROs and corporate flight departments. Houston’s market skews toward offshore helicopter operations, international air freight, and energy-sector aviation, centered around Hobby Airport and the surrounding industrial corridor.
Entry-level A&P mechanics in Texas typically start between $45,000 and $58,000 annually. Experienced technicians with both ratings, specialty certifications, or positions at major airlines or MRO operators commonly earn $75,000 to $95,000 or more.
The broader national shortage of certified mechanics applies here as much as anywhere. A significant portion of the current workforce is within a decade of retirement, and Texas’s aviation infrastructure is large enough that the gap will be felt acutely in this state.
More Texas Programs
The schools covered here are the Texas programs currently listed in the AMT Registry. The full directory is searchable by state, credential type, GI Bill approval, and program length.
