Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida · Private Nonprofit · 64.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 74/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach scores 74 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. Average 6-year earnings are $51,400, the payback period is 6.2 years, tuition is $44,249, and net price is $41,272. The 66.6% completion rate is, in our view, the most significant concern: one-in-three enrollees does not finish, and that population still accumulates debt. Net price ranges from $35,628 to $45,035 across income bands - an unusually compressed range suggesting this school offers little income-based aid. Aerospace Engineering (304 graduates) is the signature program, with $75,483 year-one earnings and $95,552 at year four (B grade ROI). Air Transportation (586 graduates) earns $54,827 year-one and $90,495 at year four. The school's identity is highly specialized: aviation and aerospace dominate the program mix, and students who are committed to those fields will find coherent career pipelines. Students who change their minds about aviation face a school with limited alternative programs.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $44,249/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $44,249/yr |
| Average net price | $41,272/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $165,088 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $84,131 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $51,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,666 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $251 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 66.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,860 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $44,249/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $41,272/year, or roughly $165,088 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $36,238/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $45,035/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $23,666, which works out to about $251 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($51,400) and comes to 0.46, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $36,238 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $35,628 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,769 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $40,670 |
| $110,001+ | $45,035 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the 0-30000 bracket pay $36,238 per year at Embry-Riddle - a figure only marginally below the $44,249 sticker tuition. This school's aid model is not designed for low-income access.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families face a nearly flat aid schedule: the 48001-75000 bracket pays $36,769 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $40,670. The range from lowest to highest bracket is only $9,000 - the school provides almost no income-adjusted pricing. Middle-income families should carefully evaluate whether Aerospace or Aviation pathways justify the near-full-price cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $45,035 per year - above sticker tuition on a net price basis, suggesting room, board, and fees drive the total cost of attendance above the tuition figure. At close to full cost of attendance, the ROI case for Embry-Riddle rests entirely on field-specific premium: Aerospace Engineering and Air Transportation graduates with industry commitment can justify the investment; students in lower-earning programs face a genuinely difficult payback calculus.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation | $90,495 | B |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $95,552 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,331 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $83,749 | B+ |
| Homeland Security | $71,014 | B |
| Military Systems and Maintenance Technology | $72,903 | C+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,450 | B+ |
| Clinical Psychology | $82,023 | C |
| Computer Engineering | $105,527 | B+ |
| Engineering Physics | $94,084 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Aerospace Engineering is the school's flagship at 304 graduates, $75,483 year-one earnings, and $95,552 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.358). Median debt of $26,995 is moderate. The pipeline flows into aerospace contractors, defense agencies, and research organizations. Year-one earnings reflect graduate-level aerospace hiring. The B grade ROI is solid given the specialization premium Embry-Riddle carries in this field.
Air Transportation
Air Transportation is the highest-volume program at 586 graduates, with $54,827 year-one earnings and $90,495 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.401, median debt $22,000). Year-one earnings reflect the ramp-up typical of commercial pilot careers - early years are often lower-earning regional airline positions. The four-year trajectory to $90k shows meaningful progression as pilots build hours and advance to mainline carriers. This program is specifically valuable to students who want a structured path to an ATP certificate.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering (18 graduates) earns $79,276 at year one and $105,527 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.330, median debt $26,146). The aerospace context differentiates graduates into defense and avionics roles. Small cohort size limits the statistical robustness of these figures.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (74 graduates) earns $66,999 year-one and $83,749 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.306, median debt $20,508). Debt is lower than STEM programs here. This is a reasonable ROI for students seeking business roles within aviation and aerospace sectors.
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Atmospheric Sciences (10 graduates) earns $41,515 at year one and $76,421 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.614 (C grade). Year-one earnings are low relative to debt, reflecting government and agency hiring timelines in meteorology. The four-year trajectory to $76k is more promising but requires patience on the early earnings side. The small cohort size makes these figures indicative rather than definitive.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.0% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 74.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.7% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 64.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 580-690 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-30 |
| Enrollment | 7,860 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 14.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,966 |
At 64.8% admission rate, Embry-Riddle is accessible but not open. SAT Math 580-690 and Reading 580-670 (ACT 24-30) describe the middle range. The school selects for students with aerospace and aviation interest, not just academic profile. The test floors reflect a recognition that passionate, technically-focused students may not present as broadly accomplished.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach's 74 ROI score reflects the tension between strong aerospace earnings and a weak completion rate and minimal income-based aid.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach (this school) | 74 | $41,272 | $84,131 |
| Southern Methodist University | 79 | $40,892 | $78,354 |
| Elon University | 75 | $41,555 | $74,545 |
| American University | 74 | $41,943 | $77,370 |
| Barry University | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| Baptist University of Florida | 31 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
Who Thrives Here
Embry-Riddle admits 64.8% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 580-690 Math and 580-670 Reading (ACT 24-30). Enrollment is 7,860. The school serves a highly specific population: students committed to aviation, aerospace, and related technical fields. Students who arrive without that focus are poorly served by the specialized curriculum. The Pell grant rate of 14.8% reflects a skew toward students from above-average income households - consistent with the near-full-price aid model. The completion rate of 66.6% suggests meaningful attrition, possibly tied to the demanding technical programs and specialized fit requirements.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $41,272 a year after aid ($165,088 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $84,131 a decade out, the cost takes about 6.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $23,666 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $51,400 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach: Common Questions
Is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 74/100 on our ROI scale. At $41,272 a year after aid ($165,088 over four years) against $84,131 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 6.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $41,272 a year, or roughly $165,088 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $84,131 ten years after enrolling, roughly $42,331 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 6.2 years for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $23,666, against average earnings of $51,400 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
The six-year graduation rate is 66.5%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.