About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Embry-Riddle trains the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals. The university enrolls 7,535 students in its small-city Daytona Beach campus, where aviation programs dominate the academic landscape. NASA astronauts Nicole Stott, Daniel Burbank, and Apollo 8's Frank Borman all launched their careers here. Students earn their wings through hands-on flight training while studying everything from aeronautical science to meteorology.
The financial picture reflects the specialized nature of aerospace education. Students pay an average net price of $40,289 annually, with total costs reaching $57,374 including room and board. Graduates typically earn $84,131 ten years after graduation, making the investment worthwhile for most aviation careers. The median debt load of $23,666 remains manageable given earning potential. Only 15% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many families can handle the premium pricing for specialized training.
The student body skews heavily male at 73%, reflecting the demographics of aviation and engineering fields. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay relatively small for hands-on technical instruction. The 85% retention rate shows students stick with their chosen flight path. An impressive 92% employment rate demonstrates that airlines and aerospace companies actively recruit Embry-Riddle graduates.
The financial picture reflects the specialized nature of aerospace education. Students pay an average net price of $40,289 annually, with total costs reaching $57,374 including room and board. Graduates typically earn $84,131 ten years after graduation, making the investment worthwhile for most aviation careers. The median debt load of $23,666 remains manageable given earning potential. Only 15% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many families can handle the premium pricing for specialized training.
The student body skews heavily male at 73%, reflecting the demographics of aviation and engineering fields. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay relatively small for hands-on technical instruction. The 85% retention rate shows students stick with their chosen flight path. An impressive 92% employment rate demonstrates that airlines and aerospace companies actively recruit Embry-Riddle graduates.
Academics & Faculty
Embry-Riddle built its reputation as the world's top aviation university, training pilots and aerospace engineers for nearly a century. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally in this highly specialized environment. About 67% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the demanding technical curriculum that covers everything from aeronautical engineering to meteorology. The flight training program puts students in actual aircraft from day one. Students work with modern flight simulators and wind tunnels that mirror industry standards. The aerospace engineering program consistently ranks among the nation's top programs. Alumni include multiple NASA astronauts who learned their craft on this Florida campus. Most graduates land jobs at Boeing, NASA, or major airlines immediately after graduation.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88.1%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 65.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 67.4%
- Retention Rate
- 85.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $84,131
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $117,572 |
| Air Transportation. | Master | $77,039 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $75,047 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Master | $74,576 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,080 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Bachelor | $64,087 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,012 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,020 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $59,314 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,964 |
Campus Life
Daytona Beach's year-round sunshine means you'll need sunscreen, not winter coats, for your four years here. The campus sits just minutes from the famous Daytona International Speedway and beaches, though about 47% of students choose to live in the 3,517-capacity residence halls. The 73% male enrollment reflects the aviation industry's demographics, creating a tight-knit community where students bond over shared passions for flight and engineering.
Weekends often revolve around the nearby beach or watching NASCAR races during Speedway Weeks. The 507 student-athletes across 19 varsity sports add energy to campus life, while flight training dominates daily conversations. Students frequently gather around the flight line to watch aircraft operations or study together in aviation-themed spaces. The semester calendar allows for intensive flight training blocks between academic coursework. With 65% of students from out-of-state, the community feels like a specialized boarding school where everyone speaks the language of aviation, from discussing weather conditions for solo flights to debating aerospace engineering principles late into the night.
Weekends often revolve around the nearby beach or watching NASCAR races during Speedway Weeks. The 507 student-athletes across 19 varsity sports add energy to campus life, while flight training dominates daily conversations. Students frequently gather around the flight line to watch aircraft operations or study together in aviation-themed spaces. The semester calendar allows for intensive flight training blocks between academic coursework. With 65% of students from out-of-state, the community feels like a specialized boarding school where everyone speaks the language of aviation, from discussing weather conditions for solo flights to debating aerospace engineering principles late into the night.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 3,517 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
21 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Burglary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 48°–69°F
- July Avg
- 73°–90°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 51.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Embry-Riddle draws aviation enthusiasts from across the nation, with nearly two-thirds of students coming from outside Florida. The student body is 73% male, reflecting the traditionally male-dominated aerospace industry the school serves. Students typically score around 1240 on the SAT and come from middle to upper-middle class backgrounds, with only 15% receiving Pell Grants. This creates a focused community of future pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals who share a passion for flight and aerospace technology, often bonding over shared career aspirations in aviation.
- Men
- 73.0%
- Women
- 27.0%
- White
- 57.4%
- Black
- 4.5%
- Hispanic
- 15.2%
- Asian
- 4.9%
- In-State Students
- 35.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 15.1%
Location
Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus sits along Florida's Atlantic coast, about 60 miles northeast of Orlando. The 7,535 students enjoy year-round flying weather that makes this location ideal for aviation training. Daytona Beach blends college town energy with motorsports culture, famous for the Daytona International Speedway and spring break crowds. The coastal setting provides perfect conditions for flight operations, with clear skies and steady winds off the ocean. Students get beach access just minutes from campus while staying close enough to major airports and aerospace companies for internships. The area draws aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Daytona Beach, Florida 32114-3900
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $84,131
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $89,839
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $51,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 64.4%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $251/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,666
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
The university accepts 64.53% of applicants. Students typically need an SAT score around 1240 or ACT score of 26 to be competitive for this specialized aviation program.
How much does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $40,289 annually, though only 15.07% of students receive federal Pell grants. The specialized nature of aviation education keeps costs high, but graduates earn a median of $84,131 ten years after graduation.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
The student-faculty ratio is 18:1 across the 7,535 enrolled students. This allows for hands-on training in flight simulators and aircraft maintenance labs that define the aviation program.
What are the career outcomes for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates?
The employment rate reaches 92.3% with graduates earning a median of $67,135 in their first year after college. Alumni include NASA astronauts like Nicole Stott and Daniel Burbank, reflecting the school's strong aerospace industry connections.
Is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach a diverse campus?
The student body is 73.01% male and 57.35% white, with students coming from across the country since only 35.62% are from Florida. The gender imbalance reflects the traditionally male-dominated aviation industry the school serves.
Does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach have flight training programs?
The university is famous for its flight training programs that prepare students for careers as commercial pilots and aerospace engineers. With 19 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division II, the campus also offers activities beyond aviation studies.
