Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
- Case Western Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 18
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Case Western Reserve University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $41,190 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Case Western Reserve University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Case Western Reserve University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $87,989 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Case Western
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,190, roughly $82 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 37% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,666, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Embry-Riddle Aeronautical in Transportation (41%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $41,190 vs $41,272.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 87% completion rate vs 67%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach are close on paper, but Case Western Reserve University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Case Western Reserve University is the harder admit. It takes 37% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,257.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Case Western Reserve University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Case Western Reserve University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,190, about $82 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach also borrow less: median debt of $23,666, against $24,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $328 before any change in aid. Choosing Case Western Reserve University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Case Western Reserve University graduates report median earnings of $87,989, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Case Western Reserve University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.27x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Case Western Reserve University graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 20% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Case Western Reserve University to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach leans toward Transportation, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Case Western offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach can expect to earn an average of $84,131 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential makes it a compelling choice for those looking to invest in their future.
The Opportunity Insights data isn't available for Embry-Riddle, but the statistics on graduation and job placement suggest that students have a solid chance of finding success post-graduation. With a graduation rate of 67%, students are likely to complete their degrees and enter the workforce equipped with skills that are in demand.
The net price to attend is $41,272, with a median debt of $23,666. This balance is manageable considering the earning potential graduates enjoy. Students who thrive here are typically those drawn to aviation, engineering, and technical fields, seeking hands-on experience and a pathway to a stable career.
Rankings They Appear On
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Case Western's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical leads with Supply Chain Management (41%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach concentrates in Transportation, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Case Western Reserve University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Case Western Reserve University is harder to get into, admitting 37% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Case Western Reserve University is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,190 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Case Western Reserve University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
Case Western Reserve University graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Case Western Reserve University has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 67%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Case Western Reserve University if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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