At $40,289/yr net price, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn $84,131/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $50,131/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $40,289 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $161,156 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $84,131/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$50,131/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,666 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $35,431/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,066/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $39,693/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $42,233/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,073/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $117,572 | $34,021 |
| Air Transportation. | Master | $77,039 | $37,674 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $75,047 | $36,711 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,080 | $26,312 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Bachelor | $64,087 | $22,662 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,012 | $26,293 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $59,314 | $22,405 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $26,196 |
The Risk Factor
67.4% of students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 33% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach costs about $40,000 a year, and your median earnings ten years out land at $84,131. That gap works because the school funnels you into aviation and engineering fields with real regional demand, not because tuition is cheap. The 85% retention and 67% graduation rates mean most people who start actually finish, which protects you from the worst ROI outcome: paying for years and leaving with debt and no degree.
The payoffs here are concentrated in the technical majors. Aerospace engineering leads early-career pay at $65,080, followed closely by vehicle maintenance and repair at $64,087, then computer and electrical engineering in the low $60,000s. Vehicle maintenance is the standout on cost-efficiency: nearly identical starting pay to aerospace engineering but about $3,600 less median debt. Business administration trails the engineering tracks at $59,314 but carries the lowest debt of the group at $22,405. If you enroll here for a non-technical, non-aviation major, you are paying private-school prices without the earnings engine that justifies them.
The main risk is the price itself. This school does not get meaningfully cheaper for lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $35,431 a year, only $7,600 less than the top income tier pays. That flat pricing means low-income families take on the same steep bill as wealthy ones, and the math only works if you finish an engineering or aviation degree and land in the field.
This school fits you if you are committed to aerospace engineering, aircraft maintenance, or a related technical path and can manage roughly $23,000 in median debt. If you are undecided or leaning toward a general major, a lower-cost school gives you a better financial cushion for the same degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach worth the high tuition cost?
The $40,289 annual net price is steep, but graduates earn $84,131 on average after 10 years, which is above the national median. Systems Engineering majors see the best returns at $117,572, while some aerospace programs start closer to $65,000.
What are the best paying majors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Systems Engineering leads with $117,572 average earnings, followed by Air Transportation at $77,039. Traditional aerospace engineering programs earn $65,000-$75,000, which is solid but not exceptional given the school's cost.
How much student debt do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates have?
The median debt is $23,666, which is manageable compared to the high sticker price. However, with a 67% graduation rate, about one-third of students don't finish their degrees.
Does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach provide good financial aid?
The net price of $40,289 suggests decent aid since the full cost is much higher. Students should compare aid packages carefully, as aviation programs require significant investment in equipment and training beyond tuition.