About us

WHY CHOOSE VAUGHN?

At Vaughn College, our mission is to educate and train future leaders in the futureproof fields of engineering and technology, management and aviation.

BE FUTUREPROOF

Job security, transferability and longevity in a top-trending market: This is every student’s dream and the notion behind being futureproof. At Vaughn College, our graduates have a competitive edge to obtain jobs in the aviation and engineering industries’ hottest markets.

How do we do it? Vaughn provides students with the education and opportunity of today so they can engage in the careers of tomorrow.

As one of the country’s premier aviation and engineering institutions, our stats speak for themselves: 98 percent of Vaughn graduates―78 percent in their field of study—are employed or continue their education within one year of graduation.

Are you setting your sights on a futureproof career? Be a part of the next generation’s success story. Vaughn is ready to help you get there.

98%
of Vaughn grads—78% in their field—are employed or continue their education within one year.*

Our Vision

To change the world one student at a time with a transformative education that leads to a lifetime of opportunity.

Our Mission

To provide a dynamic learning environment built on our aeronautical heritage that inspires a diverse and committed community of students to achieve success as leaders in the industries we serve.

Our Core Values

Demonstrate Integrity We pursue our mission by following the highest standards of excellence, ethics and mutual trust, and expect everyone to be accountable for their decisions and actions.
Embrace Diversity By respecting diversity in all its dimensions, we foster a community that invites and is inclusive of everyone.
Practice Collaboration Our culture is driven by a commitment to shared governance, teamwork, communication and collaboration within the institution and in partnership with outside entities.
Achieve Impact We are dedicated to providing students and educational experience that will transform their lives, and to creating a learning environment for trustees, faculty and staff that nurtures a passion for student success.
Choose Courage Leveraging our pioneering aeronautical heritage, we choose to be bold in our decision-making, challenge the status quo and generate opportunity for future generations.

Our History

1932

Founded in 1932, the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics opens its doors

Black & White photo of airplane.

1940

Collaborated with Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1940 to open in the present location

1964

Casey Jones School of Aeronautics becomes Academy of Aeronautics

1986

The Academy is charted as a senior college and thus becomes College of Aeronautics

Handing Diploma and shaking hands.

1996

The College adds nine new academic programs and the first bachelor of science degree

1998

A 35,000 square-foot addition is completed

2004

The College changes its name to Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology to honor one of its founders

2005

Vaughn College’s first graduate-level degree in airport management is launched

2007

Vaughn College of Aeronautics becomes first institution in NY to offer mechatronic engineering degree

A 200-bed residence hall opens

2011

Renovations costing $26 million begin, courtesy of a sound abatement grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Front door of Aviation Training Institute at Vaughn College.

2014

Vaughn College opens a newly-designed 33,000 square foot Aviation Training Institute facility in Astoria, NY

2020

Vaughn College of Aeronautics, one of the country’s premier engineering, technology, management and aviation institutions, is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as being among the top regional colleges in the North

The New York Times reported Vaughn as ranked “number one” in upward mobility nationwide among 2,137 colleges. This article stems from a study conducted by The Equality of Opportunity Project entitled “Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility”

U.S. News best regional colleges north 2019.
*Outcomes include data within one year of graduation for graduates who reported via survey. There were a total of 364 graduates in 2022. 222 reported an outcome for an 61% response rate. The 2022 graduating class includes September 2021, December 2021 and May 2022 graduates.