Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $84,131 — 56% above average — while paying $41,272/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #14 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #2 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 54 | $43,071 | $103,470 |
| #3 | University of Dayton | 52 | $29,533 | $75,537 |
| #4 | Bryant University | 44 | $41,219 | $90,008 |
| #5 | Adelphi University | 42 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| #6 | Siena University | 42 | $33,733 | $76,079 |
| #14 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | 34 | $41,272 | $84,131 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
The highest-earning program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at $62,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International Relations and National Security Studies at $33,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach earns $62,500, while a International Relations and National Security Studies graduate earns $33,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $22,250 for International Relations and National Security Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $41,272/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $62,500 | $62,500 | $27,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies | $61,100 | $61,100 | $27,614 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $56,800 | $56,800 | $28,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,700 | $55,700 | $24,932 |
| Air Transportation | $47,900 | $47,900 | $24,813 |
| Homeland Security | $37,500 | $37,500 | $25,875 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $33,800 | $33,800 | $22,250 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Student Body
- 7,860 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $41,272
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $84,131
- Median Student Debt
- $23,666