Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology

What Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology does

Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) is an academic unit within Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Purdue University, a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana. SATT delivers undergraduate degrees in Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Aviation Management, Professional Flight, and Unmanned Aerial Systems; graduate programs including an MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management and a Ph.D.; and graduate certificates. The unit is supported by capital-intensive specialized facilities — the Holleman-Niswonger Simulator Center, Operations Control Center, Aviation Electronics Lab, Raisbeck Advanced Composites Laboratory, Powerplant Lab, and Aviation Materials Lab — and operates across 11 Indiana locations.

The school serves individual students pursuing aviation careers, employer organizations hiring trained pilots, managers, engineers, and technicians, and the broader aerospace industry through curriculum-aligned advisory councils. Programs are accredited by ABET (engineering technology) and AABI (aviation business), satisfying regulatory quality thresholds for FAA-related pathways and industry credential recognition. Reported outcomes include an 80% graduate outcome reporting rate, a 24:1 student-faculty ratio, and Fall 2025 Polytechnic enrollment of 6,792.

The revenue model is that of a public university academic sub-unit: tuition and fees, state appropriations, research grants, philanthropic gifts, and industry-sponsored equipment and training partnerships. There is no separately disclosed P&L for SATT; financial performance is consolidated into Purdue Polytechnic Institute and the Purdue University System. The May 2025 graduating cohort of 244 students and expanding certificate portfolio indicate active enrollment throughput, while leadership (Dean Daniel Castro-Lacouture, School Head Brian Dillman, and faculty leads J. Michael Davis, Mary Johnson, Michael Suckow) oversees curriculum and industry alignment.

Name

Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology

Legal name

Purdue University

Website

https://polytechnic.purdue.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology is a public university academic unit within Purdue Polytechnic Institute that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in aviation and transportation technology, serving students and aviation industry employers across eleven Indiana locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Higher Education

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI), Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG), Human Factors, Safety Management & Maintenance Error Prevention (EDAOAFAM)

Keywords

• Aviation education
• Pilot training
• Aeronautical engineering
• Unmanned aerial systems
• Aviation management

Headquarters

HQ city

West Lafayette, Indiana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Public university tuition-funded education for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aviation and transportation technology

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) is an academic unit within Purdue Polytechnic Institute delivering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs alongside graduate certificates in aviation and transportation technology. Programs include Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Aviation Management, Professional Flight, and Unmanned Aerial Systems, supported by on-airport facilities at Purdue University Airport and Indianapolis International Airport, flight simulators, aircraft hangars, and specialized labs.

Product overview

Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) is an academic unit within Purdue Polytechnic Institute offering a portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs alongside graduate certificates. The school's core academic products include Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Aviation Management, Professional Flight, and Unmanned Aerial Systems at the undergraduate level; MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management at the graduate level; and a Ph.D. in Aviation Technology and Management for doctoral research. Additionally, the school offers specialized graduate certificates in Aviation Financial Management, Aviation Safety Management, and Advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems. The programs emphasize hands-on learning with access to aviation facilities including flight simulators, aircraft hangars, and labs at the Purdue Airport. The school operates under Purdue Polytechnic's motto of 'Industry Ready, Day One,' focusing on preparing graduates for careers in aviation and transportation industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aeronautical Engineering Technology Undergraduate degree program focused on engineering principles and technology used in aircraft design, maintenance, and systems, offered by the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology.
• Aviation Management Undergraduate program preparing students for management roles in the aviation industry, covering operations, safety, and business aspects of aviation organizations.
• Professional Flight Undergraduate program that trains students to become professional pilots, providing flight training and ground school education for various pilot certifications.
• Unmanned Aerial Systems Undergraduate program focused on drone technology, including design, operation, regulations, and applications of unmanned aerial systems.
• MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management Master of Science program focusing on management principles and advanced topics in aviation and aerospace industries; available online.
• Ph.D. in Aviation Technology and Management Doctoral research program focused on advanced topics in aviation technology and management, preparing graduates for academic and research positions.
• Aviation Financial Management Graduate Certificate Online graduate certificate focusing on financial management specific to the aviation industry.
• Aviation Safety Management Graduate Certificate Online graduate certificate focused on safety management systems and practices in aviation.
• Advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems Graduate Certificate Online graduate certificate covering advanced topics in UAS technology, operations, and applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of graduates reported outcomes within 6 months of graduation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ACC Industrial Advisory CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry advisory council providing guidance on curriculum development, industry trends, and workforce needs for the School of Applied and Creative Computing
• Construction Management Advisory CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry advisory council guiding the Bowen School of Construction curriculum and industry engagement
• SOET Industry Advisory CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry advisory council for the School of Engineering Technology providing industry perspective on program development
• Aviation Industry PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation employers providing internships, recruiting graduates, and engaging with curriculum through industry-sponsored projects and advisory input

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ohio State University (Center for Aviation Studies): Big Ten public research university with aviation studies and Professional Flight tracks; comparable as a large public university aviation program sharing the same in-state/out-of-state tuition dynamics.
• Florida Institute of Technology: Private university with a College of Aeronautics offering Professional Flight, aeronautical science, aviation management, and UAS programs; directly competes with SATT for aviation undergraduate talent and graduate enrollment.
• Bowling Green State University (Aviation Studies): Ohio public university offering aviation management and flight programs with regional airport access — directly competes for students in the same Midwest recruitment footprint as SATT.
• Lewis University (Aviation and Transportation): Mid-size private university with FAA-certified flight training, air traffic control, and aviation management programs; comparable mid-tier peer competing for similar regional student demographics.
• Western Michigan University (College of Aviation): Public university operating its own airport with extensive flight training and aviation management programs; comparable to SATT as a state-supported aviation-focused college with industry-aligned curriculum.
• University of North Dakota (UND Aerospace): Public university with one of the largest collegiate aviation programs, offering flight training, air traffic control, and aerospace studies — directly comparable to SATT in scale, public university structure, and program breadth.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The largest dedicated aviation and aerospace university in the U.S., offering Professional Flight, aeronautical engineering, aviation management, and UAS programs across Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses — the most directly comparable peer to Purdue SATT.

Regional players

• Indiana State University (Aviation Technology): Indiana-based public university aviation program operating in-state; directly competes for the same Indiana-resident student pool as Purdue SATT, though smaller in scale and program breadth.
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Aviation): Public university with aviation flight and management programs serving the Midwest; comparable in scale and regional positioning, though competing primarily for in-state Illinois students.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University (School of Aeronautics): Large private university with a rapidly growing aviation program including Professional Flight and UAS — competes broadly with SATT for online and residential aviation students nationwide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/purduepolytech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PurdueUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/PurduePolytechnic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/purdueaviationtechnology
• Instagraminstagram.com/purduepolytechnic

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology