Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is a private nonprofit university in Daytona Beach, FL ranked #995 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B, enrolling about 7,535 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 66.3%. Students most often pursue Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
Day to day, students benefit from a 18:1 student-faculty ratio, 85.5% first-year retention, and 67.4% six-year graduation. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $40,289, about $23,291 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -5942.4%, roughly 6027.7 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $65,391. That's about $21,703 higher than national results. It's well-suited to students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates 67.4% of students within six years and keeps 85.5% of first-year students. Affordability earns an F compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $42,304 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,400 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $13,670 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $5,562 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $59,972 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 15.1% of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $35,431 to $43,073 depending on family income. Use Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $42,233/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $43,073/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $65,391
- 10-Year Median Earnings $65,391
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $14,250
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 64.4%
- Employment Rate 84.6%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn $65,391 median, the -59.4% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 570-670
- SAT Math 570-680
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 24-30
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 7,535
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 85.5%
- Graduation Rate 67.4%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 18:1
How to Get Into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 66.3%, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 66.3% acceptance rate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1140 and 1350 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach undergraduates. Air Transportation, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineer, and Mechanical Engineering draw the most students.
- Air Transportation 39.3%
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineer 17.9%
- Mechanical Engineering 6.8%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 6.7%
- Homeland Security 6.0%
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology 3.1%
See more majors
- Computer Engineering 2.3%
- Engineering Physics 2.3%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $97,915
- 2. Computer Engineering $94,762
- 3. Mechanical Engineering $93,818
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians $93,433
- 5. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies $89,361
- 6. Business Administration, Management and Operations $85,780
- 7. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies $85,087
- 8. Air Transportation $84,472
- 9. Air Transportation $83,811
- 10. Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology $81,800
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Systems Engineering (Master's Degree) $167,828
- 2. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $105,981
- 3. Air Transportation (Master's Degree) $105,418
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degree) $100,926
- 5. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degree) $98,901
- 6. Security Science and Technology (Master's Degree) $94,550
- 7. Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degree) $79,874
- 8. Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degree) $78,444
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering grads earn $97,915—20% more than Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology ($81,800). Graduate: Systems Engineering programs lead with $167,828 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degree, 454 graduates)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degree, 206 graduates)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degree, 79 graduates)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 77 graduates)
- Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degree, 69 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (21 programs)▼
- Air Transportation
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Homeland Security
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Engineering Physics
- Computer Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
- Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Computer Science
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
- Physics
- Communication and Media Studies
Online Master's Degrees (15 programs)▼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Air Transportation
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Security Science and Technology
- Applied Mathematics
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering, General
- Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
- Data Science
Online Doctoral Degrees (6 programs)▼
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Engineering, Other
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (1 program)▼
- Engineering, Other
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 7,535
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 73.0%
- Female Students 27.0%
- Caucasian 57.4%
- Asian 4.9%
- Hispanic 15.2%
- Black 4.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients 15.1%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's undergraduate population. Women make up 27.0% of the student body, while men represent 73.0%.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Men make up 73.0% of undergraduates. About 15.1% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -59.4% ROI. Ranked #995 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $40,289 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $65,391 median earnings. With 67.4% graduating within six years and 85.5% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's Positioning
With a B grade and #995 ranking, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $40,289 annually, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 85.5% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $28,202 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -59.4% ROI and $65,391 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $30,289+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ranks #995 of 6275 institutions, with 1391 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 67.4% six-year graduation rate sits 4.9 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 85.5% first-year retention is 8.7 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -59.4% return on investment is 144.7 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $65,391 run about 50% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $40,289 is roughly $20,156 higher than the national median of $20,133.
Helpfulness for Students
- 18:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 85.5% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 84.6% employment rate within three years sits 16.4 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $40,289 is about $20,156 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 15.1% trails the national share by 23.8 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a B from EDsmart. It appears at #995 in EDsmart's national list Grades by category break down as Completion B-, Support A-, Career Outcomes B, and Affordability F.
85.5% of learners come back after year one while 67.4% complete the degree within six years. The reported ROI is -59.4%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $40,289 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $59,972.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $19,683 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $14,250 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 15.1% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $65,391 six years after entry. Compared with the national median, that's 50% higher.
Roughly 84.6% of graduates are employed three years out.
The ROI comes in near -59.4%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
66.3% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
- Website daytonabeach.erau.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
- Endowment$166.2M