Academy College - Bloomington, Minnesota

Ryan Rudnik

Pretty terrible school. Went years ago as a clueless adolescent. Thunderbird for the flight portion was okay but the ground school at academy are scary bad. If you intend on pursuing a commercial license bite the bullet and go with ATP school. Minnesota has two locations. Wish I had know this year's ago. You will NOT get hired with this as your schooling background.

Brian Joe (SmallJaw Junkie)

I absolutely loved my 3 year experience at Academy college. Every course at Academy College was a fun experience. I really enjoyed seeing the welcoming office staff. Katie, the student affairs coordinator, represents this institution in the best way; always wearing an amazing smile, which made my day just that much better. All of the instructors were very knowledgeable in their given field; aiding me throughout the course. The small class size's are always a plus; giving you that extra attention.

Gary Trosky

Went with our son for initial interview and was strong-armed like the worst used car salesman you could think of. Three on one was their technique. If you go there with your child be prepared for high pressure sales. They will strong-arm you and push very, very hard. Do not bring your checkbook with you because there’s no doubt in my mind they’ll do everything they can to get you to write a check, and a big one at that.

Tom Ollenburger

I am just finishing my Aviation Business degree and after the next quarter I will have my bachelors in business degree and I couldn't be happier with the experience I've had dealing with both Academy College and with Thunderbird Aviation. I lived in Minneapolis for the first year of my training and schooling and then moved back to my home town of Fargo. Academy and Thunderbird worked with me and my schedule so that I could come down to the cities every other week to do my training and I took online classes so I was able to finish all of it within three years.
Because of the training I received I was able to get a job in Fargo as a part 91 corporate pilot before I even finished my CFI license. The instructors at Thunderbird are very knowledgable and trained me at a high level. I can't say enough good things about the ground instructors at Academy either. They prepped me for the FAA exams so well that not only have I never failed an exam, but I passed with great scores. My job I now have is due to the outstanding training I received and I can't thank them enough. From a guy that is married and a new father, I'd say their flexibility with me was key.
The staff at Academy even mailed me my books so I didn't have to make a special trip down to get them and they even add courses just for students if they need them for their degree. FIVE STARS and it's not even close.

CL Schmitz

I graduated from the flight program about 3 years ago. Since then I have been a flight instructor and have been offered my first job at a Regional Airline! For me, this school was great! I wouldnt have this career I love without my years at Academy. Great instructors... made me work hard but it was worth it!

Lucas L

I only give this school 1 star because it seems all instructors here are great people and do care about their students. Unfortunately the people who run the school could care less about you, specifically financial aid and the Campus Director. They will be your best friend sucking as much financial aid and student loans out of you as they can. Then when you finish school there good luck getting any answers on what is going on with left over money in your account, in my case 10,000+ dollars. I went over 2 months being ignored by the Campus director who I was told was the only one with the answers to where my money was going, always forwarded to voice mail which my calls were never returned and emails went unresponded to... Not the way you want to be treated by the person who is handling your money. The classes weren't that great... the instructors are pretty much stuck (Not their fault) to just reading the book and or just prepping you to pass a test with out really learning the material.

There are alot of good people at this school but the higher up people just care about how much money they are making so I can not recommend this school. This was evident on how they would push people through the higher aviation courses when they hadn't even flown in a plane yet setting them up for failure, and they did fail.

I recently tried to transfer credits to a State school in MN and they said they will not except ANY credits from Academy College.

takeitha fortney

I had a really great time there I had a few ups and downs and they helped me out and made sure I was ok with were I was at and they also knew my first name not like some other big schools. Also Amber the MA instructor is one of the best people there she helps with career services and make sure you get placed in your externship clinic. Katie is also great she is the person to talk to if you have any questions and she can make you laugh. So over all academy college is a great place to go to.

April White

I'm a recent Academy College graduate who today, has a better job in my related field of study than before I started my education. From the beginning, the administration staff always advised me of what to expect and kept me on my degree path with their encouragement . I will really miss this place!! It's like a family--my instructors always responded back to me right away when I had questions. The classroom setting was very individualized. It's great to have teachers that are in the field of study in which you are pursuing and were able to provide REAL working knowledge. Getting my degree here really helped me get the kind of work I've always dreamed about