At $39,983/yr net price, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott 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) | $39,983 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $159,932 |
| 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) | 69.8% |
| 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 | $37,016/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,781/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $37,944/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $40,511/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,052/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation. | Master | $77,039 | $37,674 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,080 | $26,312 |
| 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 |
| Air Transportation. | Bachelor | $48,833 | $23,250 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $23,733 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $36,134 | $22,500 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $25,500 |
The Risk Factor
69.8% of students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Embry-Riddle Prescott charges you close to $40,000 a year net, and the median graduate earns $84,131 a decade out. That gap works in your favor if you finish a degree here, and most students do: the 69.8% graduation rate and 84% retention rate both land well above what many private four-year schools post. Median debt at $23,666 stays below the median first-year earnings, which is the ratio you want.
The payoff here is tied tightly to engineering. Aerospace engineering leads at $65,080, with computer and electrical engineering close behind. These are the programs this school is built around, and the aviation and aerospace employers who hire from Prescott pay for those specific skills. Business administration graduates start near $59,000 with less debt ($22,405), so it holds up on cost even though it trails the engineering tracks.
The risk is the price itself. Every listed program starts you below $66,000, so if you borrow the full net price for four years, you are betting on the salary climb from starting pay to that $84,131 median. That climb is real for engineers but slower if you leave without the degree, which is the single biggest financial danger at a school this expensive.
The net price barely moves by income. Families under $30,000 still pay $37,016, and the highest earners pay $42,052 , a spread of only about $5,000 across the whole range. There is no deep discount for low-income families here, so this school fits you best if you can cover most of the cost and you want an engineering or aviation career. If you are aiming at a lower-paying field or need the price to drop sharply with income, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott worth the high tuition cost?
The $40,000 annual net price is steep, but graduates earn $84,131 after 10 years with relatively low debt of $23,666. The ROI works best for aviation and engineering majors, where specialized training commands higher salaries.
Do Embry-Riddle Prescott graduates make enough money to justify the cost?
Air transportation majors earn $77,039 while aerospace engineers start around $65,080, making the investment worthwhile for these fields. Business majors earn less at $59,314, which may not justify the premium tuition.
What is the student debt situation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
The median debt of $23,666 is manageable compared to earnings potential, especially for aviation and engineering graduates. However, the 69.8% graduation rate means about 30% of students take on debt without finishing their degree.
Which programs at Embry-Riddle Prescott offer the best return on investment?
Air transportation offers the strongest ROI at $77,039 average salary, followed by aerospace engineering at $65,080. Computer and electrical engineering programs also provide solid returns above $60,000.