Head-to-Head Comparison
Colorado School of Mines vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
- Colorado Mines Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 14
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colorado School of Mines offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,690 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Colorado School of Mines delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Colorado School of Mines's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Colorado Mines
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,690, roughly $12,582 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 81% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 61% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colorado Mines graduates concentrate in Engineering (74% 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 Colorado School of Mines over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $28,690 vs $41,272.
Pick Colorado School of Mines over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 81% completion rate vs 67%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colorado School of Mines and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach are close on paper, but Colorado School of Mines wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Colorado School of Mines is the harder admit. It takes 61% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,412 to 1,257.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colorado School of Mines 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, Colorado School of Mines comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,690, about $12,582 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Colorado School of Mines also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $50,328 before any change in aid. Choosing Colorado School of Mines leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Colorado School of Mines graduates report median earnings of $97,335, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colorado School of Mines has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% 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
Colorado School of Mines graduates a larger share of its students, 81% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 14% 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 Colorado School of Mines 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. Colorado School of Mines concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, 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.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Colorado Mines competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,272 runs well above Colorado School of Mines's $28,690.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment, and Colorado School of Mines is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 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
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · Public
Graduates from the Colorado School of Mines earn a median salary of $97,335 just ten years after enrollment. This impressive figure reflects the school's strong focus on engineering and applied sciences. With a student body of 6,155, Mines attracts students who are serious about pursuing careers in technical fields.
The school has an 81% graduation rate, indicating that most students complete their degrees in a timely manner. While specific mobility and economic connectedness data are not available, the focus on high-demand areas like engineering and computer science generally leads to strong job prospects for graduates. Students who come from lower-income backgrounds may find support through limited Pell Grant funding, as 14% of students receive these grants.
Attending Mines comes with a net price of $28,690, and graduates typically leave with a median debt of $23,000. This combination of cost and potential earnings makes the return on investment favorable. Students who thrive here are often those with a solid foundation in math and science, ready to tackle challenging coursework in a collaborative environment.
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
Colorado School of Mines is featured on the Best Colleges in Colorado ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colorado Mines's top program is Mechanical Engineering (74% of enrollment), while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical leads with Supply Chain Management (41%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colorado Mines) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colorado School of Mines is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Biology & Biomedical, 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 Colorado School of Mines or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Colorado School of Mines is harder to get into, admitting 61% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Colorado School of Mines or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Colorado School of Mines is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,690 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Colorado School of Mines or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,335 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colorado School of Mines or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Colorado School of Mines has the higher graduation rate, 81% versus 67%.
Should you choose Colorado School of Mines or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colorado School of Mines 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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